Seminary Ridge Museum & Education Center is an award-winning exhibit that offers students a comprehensive educational opportunity to understand Civil War history. Housed inside the historic Lutheran Seminary building on Seminary Ridge, the museum stands on one of the most significant landmarks in American history. Through interactive exhibits and programs, explore topics of war and freedom, along with the stories that come with them. Discover social sciences and military history of the era through resources and educational opportunities like no other.
Unlike many Civil War museums that focus primarily on military events, Seminary Ridge Museum encourages students to think critically about the Battle of Gettysburg through the perspectives of soldiers, civilians, medical workers, enslaved and free African Americans, and more. By exploring original artifacts and exhibits, students develop a deeper understanding of the Civil War’s lasting impact on American society.
Learn from lessons and professional learning lectures that cover topics like slavery and freedom, medicine and STEM, and memories of the era.
Instructional Resources Available
The museum offers valuable educator resources to enhance the curriculum for students continuously. Here are some important resources available to explore.
• Battle of Gettysburg: Investigate the events surrounding the first day’s fighting at Gettysburg through lessons that examine battlefield strategy and the importance of Seminary Ridge in shaping the outcome of the battle. This program encourages students to analyze historical evidence and understand why Gettysburg became a turning point in the Civil War.
• Race, Slavery, Freedom: Explore the role of race and slavery in 19th-century America through this program. Students can examine how debates over freedom and equality shaped the Civil War and engage with primary sources or guided discussions to help them connect the era’s historical events.
• Civil War Medicine/STEM: The Civil War Medicine/STEM program helps students discover how the war transformed the study of medicine. By exploring the challenges faced by doctors and nurses, this program helps provide insight into how wartime necessity accelerated medical progress and continues to influence healthcare today.
• Dilemma Discussions: The topic of war is highly personal and discussion-heavy. Using historical case studies, Dilemma Discussions engages students through analyses of difficult decisions people faced during the Civil War. This program encourages collaborative discussions, evidence-based reasoning, and critical thinking skills.
• Civil War Memory: Examine how Americans have remembered, commemorated, and interpreted the Civil War over the past 160 years through comprehensive lessons that engage students while they explore changing historical interpretations that have evolved.
Seminary Ridge Museum & Education Center offers students an unforgettable field trip that brings one of America’s most pivotal war moments vividly to life. Educational group visits are available year-round by reservation, with the museum welcoming groups of 15 or more students. Schools can customize their visit with museum tours, educator-led lessons, and guided experiences throughout the historic site. Virtual programs are also available for select classrooms, with sessions beginning at $100 for up to 50 students.
For more information, contact the Seminary Ridge Museum & Education Center’s office at 717-339-1300 or by emailing info@seminaryridgemuseum.org.
