Gettysburg Military history buffs, of course, will want to visit the Gettysburg National Military History Park, a huge battlefield shrine with more than 1,000 monuments and 400 cannons on 5,700 acres. The park is famous for its annual reenactment of the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg, staged the first few days of July, commemorating the three-day battle of 1863. But nearly every weekend throughout the summer, the park invites small artillery units representing different parts of the country to set up encampments and provide a living history lesson. These groups appear in uniform and demonstrate the use of firearms and equipment, all of which would be true to the time they are re-creating during the Civil War. Check in at the visitors center for a schedule of the day's events.
Admission is free.
Fort Frederick Fort Frederick is a state park that encompasses 583 acres and an original fort from 1756, the time of the French and Indian War. It is considered the country's best preserved pre-Revolutionary War stone fort, with the walls and two barracks restored to their 1750s appearance. The historian demonstrates skills and relates the events that would have been unfolding at different periods of its history. Specially scheduled programs are sporadic but tell the stories best, whether through military reenactments or re-creations of family life. Upcoming events include Colonial Children's Days, Aug. 12-13, during which kids can try on period costumes.