Recruit Members of the Gettysburg Foundation
Support Gettysburg’s Orchards
The orchards on the Gettysburg battlefield provided cover and
concealment to soldiers during heavy fighting in July 1863. Each of
the dozens of farms torn apart by the three-day battle of Gettysburg had
orchards of apples, cherries, peaches, and more, now preserved by
Gettysburg National Military Park.
Recruit members of the Gettysburg Foundation are raising awareness
and funds for the orchards through its _Seedling to Cider_ project. The
project takes fruit grown on battlefield orchards and works with a local
cidery to transform it into hard cider. Recruits are involved in the
entire process—planting, pruning and picking the apples.
Recruits recently presented Gettysburg National Military Park
Superintendent Ed Clark with a donation of $824 from the proceeds of the
2015 and 2016 cider sales.
“The Recruits help us with the sustainability of Gettysburg’s
orchards,” said Ed Clark, Superintendent of Gettysburg National
Military Park. “This younger set of Friends of Gettysburg members is
helping us attract new audiences and create the next generation of park
visitors, supporters and advocates.”
Last year for Giving Tuesday (#GivingTuesday), a global day of giving,
Recruit members braved the cold and rain and pruned trees on the
battlefield to raise awareness for the _Seedling to Cider_ project. The
event raised awareness of Gettysburg’s orchards and their
sustainability.
This year for Giving Tuesday on November 29, the Recruits program will
be showcasing the George Spangler farm, a Gettysburg farm and field
hospital site owned by the Gettysburg Foundation and part of Gettysburg
National Military Park. Recruits plan to raise $7,500 to restore the
historic fruit orchard at the Spangler Farm. The fund will replant the
historic orchard at the Spangler farm and re-build the historic fences
nearby.
Throughout the day on November 29, the Gettysburg Foundation’s
Facebook page will feature live updates and information about the
project as well as a tour of the George Spangler farm by Chris Gwinn,
Chief of Interpretation at Gettysburg National military Park. For more
information go to: facebook.com/gettysburgvisitorcenter
