Gettysburg’s Seminary Ridge Museum to Observe “24 Hours on the Ridge”
Twenty-four hours of consecutive historical exhibits, tours, lectures, and more—held at Gettysburg’s Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center—are slated to begin at 5 p.m. on November 1 and run non-stop until 5 p.m. on November 2.
The Seminary Ridge Museum will hold its fourth annual “24 Hours on the Ridge” experience this Friday and Saturday. The museum bills it as “Gettysburg’s Only Nycthemeron Museum Experience”—a nycthemeron being an exceptionally historian-like way to say “a period of twenty-four hours.”
In other words, it’s a sleep-over for Civil War enthusiasts who’ve long outgrown sleepovers (and with no sleeping!).
“24 Hours on the Ridge” is being held in conjunction with the Adams County Community Foundation to support the foundation’s annual Giving Spree. Codie Eash, the Ridge’s Director of Education and Interpretation, expressed optimism regarding the nycthemeron’s fundraising potential, stating that the museum hopes to raise at least $17,500. He added that the museum has reached its fundraising goal every year of its existence.
The nycthemeron has been widely appreciated by the public, with some of this year’s participants travelling from as far as Texas to attend, said Eash. The event creates “a unique way to experience Gettysburg,” he said.
Throughout the evening, attendees can expect to witness or participate in nearly 20 events. Eash highlighted three events of particular interest: the living museum, which takes visitors on a journey through the triage and treatment process at the Seminary Hospital; two live podcasts being recorded by History Things and Civil War Breakfast Club; and a candlelight remembrance ceremony for the souls who fought and died at the Ridge. Eash added that he expects some descendants of the men who died on the Ridge to be in attendance.
Admission to “24 Hours on the Ridge” is free; Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center does not require–but requests–donations be made by those who attend. Some events do, however, have a minimum requested donation.
