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Pennsylvania

Three Civil War Battlefields: Harpers Ferry, Antietam and Gettysburg

Program No. 16301RJ

Dive deep into the story of the Civil War as you learn about John Brown’s raid in Harpers Ferry, the Emancipation Proclamation in Sharpsburg and the war’s turning point in Gettysburg.

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Protecting the Environment

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6 days

5 nights

13 meals

5B 3L 5D

Check-In, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner, Class

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg, Cyclorama, Harpers Ferry & Antietam Preview

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Harpers Ferry & Antietam Battlefields

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg Day One, Battlefield Field Trip, Movie

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg Day Two, The Battlefield, Shriver,Civil War Music

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg: Day Three, Program Concludes

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

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At a Glance

The armed slave revolt at Harpers Ferry, the devastating battle at Antietam and the turning point victory at Gettysburg — these three battles were perhaps the most significant in the entire Civil War. They were also among the bloodiest battles in American history. Remember their legacies as you investigate these fateful sites and learn from the past. Unravel the events that led to John Brown’s anti-slavery raid, discover how the Battle of Antietam convinced President Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation and trace the dramatic timeline of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Activity Level

Keep the Pace

Walking up to two miles a day on uneven terrain.

Small Group

Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

Explore the site of John Brown's Fort at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
At Antietam, try to grasp the gravity of a battle where 22,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, captured or missing in 12 hours of grueling combat.
Experience lively evenings while watching the movie “Gettysburg” and listening to authentic Civil War-era music.

General Notes

Select dates are designated for small groups and are limited to 24 participants or less.

Featured Expert

All trip experts

Tom Jolin

Tom was a founding member of the West Orrtanna String Band, as well as the Orrtanna Mountain Steamers, and played with these groups from 1972 to 1999. Through funding from The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, their five albums were archived and preserved in a set, “Traditional Music from Orrtanna.” Tom is also an instrument maker, specializing in the hammer dulcimer. He is a sought after artist-in-residence and lives with his family in the foothills of the Appalachians, near Gettysburg.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Tom Jolin View biography

Richard Kohr View biography

Richard Kohr has been a Licensed Battlefield Guide since 1995, and is the former president of the Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides. Rich has led presentations at several seminars and Civil War round tables, and has taught continuing education courses on the Gettysburg campaign at the Gettysburg campus of Harrisburg Area Community College.

Lauren Kain View biography

Lauren Biddle Kain is the site coordinator for Philadelphia Landmarks Road Scholar. She received her BS/BA from Randolph Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. After marriage and transfer to the San Diego area, she began working at EVENT NETWORK, a leading experiental retail operator, on behalf of cultural attractions such as zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, museums, science centers and other cultural attractions. Lauren and her family now reside in the Philadelphia area. She started working with Road Scholar as a junior Group Leader for Grandparent Programs.

Maryann Oelkers View biography

Living and working in the Philadelphia area for 30 years, Maryann Oelkers found a renewed love for American history. Since retiring from a nursing career in 2009 and moving to Gettysburg, Maryann has been involved in learning about and sharing the history of this special town. Her ongoing experiences include working as a visitors’ services rep for the Gettysburg Foundation. Maryann enjoys continually learning about the history of Gettysburg, including the civilian experience during that fateful year of 1863.

Peter Miele View biography

Pete Miele is a native of northern New Jersey. After graduating from Ramapo College with a degree in History and Secondary Education, he began teaching American History, World History, and American Studies. In 2013, Pete relocated to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, earned a MA in Applied History from Shippensburg University, and worked with the new Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center. He was named the Museum’s Executive Director in 2020. His interests include 19th century mid-Atlantic social and cultural history, environmental and medical history, and museum studies.

Brad Gottfried View biography

Brad Gottfried earned his Ph.D. and then spent 40 years in higher education, retiring as a college president. Although he became an administrator, he taught college courses just about every year. Upon retirement, he moved to Pennsylvania and became a Gettysburg Licensed Town Guide and an Antietam Certified Battlefield Guide. He is the author of 17 books on the Civil War, ranging from military studies to Lincoln’s visit to Gettysburg. Among his greatest joys are taking guests around Gettysburg and the Antietam battlefield.

Three Civil War Battlefields: Harpers Ferry, Antietam and Gettysburg

Enroll with Confidence

Protecting the Environment

At a Glance

Best of all, you’ll…

General Notes

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