Camp
Letterman
Most of you are aware of Camp Letterman and the large area
(between 80 and 100 acres) that it encompassed after the Battle
of Gettysburg. A lot of development has taken place but recent
research has discovered that a lot of the camp area still exists
in an open state.
GBPA has taken the lead in bringing together a large group
of people to help in locating the cemetary and camp ara. Our
alliance includes the National park Service, PA Historic and
Museum Commission, the four developers, Congressman Todd Platts
and the Army Corps of Engineers. The area that will be assessed
is around 500 to 800 acres. The cooperation of the developers
has been outstanding. We will be planning on a press conference
in the near future with our partners in the project.
Your organization made a decision in September to try and
bring all interested parties together. This was not a light
undertaking but one we felt needed to be done. Instead of waiting
until development plans are in place we are working ahead of
time to try and save areas of historical importance to the
Battle of Gettysburg. We held a preservation summit at the
Lady Farm in October which brought together many members of
the preservation community. From that point on we have made
outstanding progress.
For Gettysburg, this is probably one of the most outstanding
opportunities that has been afforded to us - to have preservation
and development work together for the common good. To bring
together such a diverse group shows that GBPA has not forgotten
their mission, our founders would be proud of their organization.
The task before us will have a profound effect on the interpretation
of an area that is of grat importance to the North and South
and hopefully will answer a lot of questions that remain regarding
Camp Letterman.
GBPA has secured a challenge grant to help with this work,
and received assurances from the developers that they will
work with us and help to provide funding for an archeology
survey, which is of great importance. Any funding that can
be procured will help in meeting our goal. If you know of
anyone who has an interest and would be willing to assist in
funding this project, please contact us. Any amount will help.
Please remember, the developers would not have to undertake
this extensive of a survey under current guidellines. They
are offering their help and assistance. This type of work comes
at a high cost, which could exceed $500,000. In order to keep
costs in line, a great number of volunteers will be needed
to help with menial work. We will keep you informed as work
is scheduled. Phase I, which should be scheduled to start soon,
is ground penetrating radar to establish "hot areas." Phase
II will be with cadaver dogs, Phase III will be metal detection
and Pahse IV is ground "truthing" which involves actual digging
in defined areas and the sifting of dirt, etc. All of this
work will be done under the guidance of the PA Historic and
Museum Commission.
If you are interested in helping in any way, please send us
your name and address and phone number so that we can contact
you with a schedule. You can send the information to our PO
Box or by e-mail to Gettysburg@pahouse.net.
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