Sacred Trust 2026

Sacred Trust 2026 returns to Gettysburg July 1–3, 2026, with a series of educational talks, panel discussions, and commemorative programs marking the 163rd anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. Presented by the Gettysburg Foundation in partnership with Gettysburg National Military Park and Seminary Ridge Museum & Education Center, this three-day event explores the people, stories, and lessons that continue to shape America’s understanding of the Civil War.

On July 1, the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center hosts From Pangea to Pennsylvania: The Geological Battle Beneath the Battlefield from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. Presented by geologists Jesse Reimink, Ph.D., and Chris Bolhuis, the program examines how nearly a billion years of geological history shaped the landscape that influenced troop movements, defensive positions, and the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg. Free advance tickets are required.

July 2 begins at 2 PM at the United Lutheran Seminary Chapel with A Hell of a Regiment: How the Twentieth Maine Created Their Gettysburg Story. Author and historian Jared Peatman, Ph.D., explores how the famous story of the Twentieth Maine evolved from battlefield accounts into one of the most enduring narratives of the Civil War.

Later that evening, the United Lutheran Seminary Campus hosts The Great Anniversary Festival: A July 2nd Independence Celebration at Seminary Ridge from 6:30 to 11 PM. The celebration includes a reading of the Declaration of Independence, a panel discussion on historical legacy, and an outdoor screening of the John Adams episode “Independence.” Food trucks will be on site, and guests are encouraged to bring chairs for outdoor seating.

The series concludes on July 3 at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center with Above and Beyond: The Legacy of the Medal of Honor from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. This special panel discussion explores courage, sacrifice, and service through the stories and experiences of Medal of Honor recipients and their families. Free advance tickets are required.

As America commemorates its 250th anniversary, Sacred Trust 2026 connects modern audiences with the events, leadership, and sacrifices that helped shape the nation while highlighting Gettysburg’s enduring place in American history.