Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Gettysburg Seminary Ridge Museum
Constructed in 1832 under the leadership of the Reverend Samuel Simon Schmucker, the brick federal-style building was an impressive home for the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. In July 1863, as war engulfed Gettysburg, the building became a military observation post, a strategic artillery position and a field hospital that cared for more than 600 of the wounded.
By the 1960s, no longer functional for student use, the "Old Dorm" was leased to the Adams County Historical Society and saved from the threat of demolition. For the next 52 years, the Society operated historic Schmucker Hall as a museum and research center and undertook renovations and repairs to maintain the building. The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg and the Adams County Historical Society initiated a joint project - under the auspices of the Seminary Ridge Historic Preservation Foundation - to stabilize and actively re-use the historic Schmucker Hall. The Gettysburg Seminary Ridge Museum, opened July 1, 2013 on the 150th anniversary of the battle and presents Civil War exhibits and programs on the first day of the battle, care of the wounded, the role of religion and the efforts of African Americans in their struggle for freedom.
Erected 2013 by The Seminary Ridge Historic Preservation Foundation. (Marker Number 2.)
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Education • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Gettysburg - Seminary Ridge Historic Walking Tour series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.
Location. 39° 49.928′ N, 77° 14.639′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Marker is near the northwest corner of the parking lot for Valentine Hall. It is about 100 feet from the eastern side of Schmucker Hall, now the Gettysburg Seminary Ridge Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 Seminary Ridge Avenue, Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Seminary Hospital (a few steps from this marker); Life as a Seminary Student (within shouting distance of this marker); Samuel Simon Schmucker Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Manor of Maske (within shouting distance of this marker); Crisis Comes to the Seminary's Back Door (within shouting distance of this marker); Valentine Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Gettysburg Seminary (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gettysburg Campaign (about 300 feet away); Emanuel Bell Tower (about 300 feet away); Daniel Alexander Payne (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
More about this marker. This marker is Stop 2 on the Seminary Ridge Historic Walking Trail.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2013, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 741 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 16, 2013, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 4, 5. submitted on December 7, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 6, 7. submitted on July 16, 2013, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.