“Shall Not Perish” – Dedication Weekend Recreation of the Gettysburg Address

PLEASE NOTE: Tickets are currently AVAILABLE. Click here for ticketing and more information.

The Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania, in coordination with the National Park Service, presents Shall Not Perish: Lincoln at Gettysburg on November 18 and 19, 2026, as part of Gettysburg’s America250PA celebration. Events take place across downtown Gettysburg, the David Wills House, Seminary Ridge, and Gettysburg National Cemetery, recreating President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 visit and the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery.

On Wednesday, November 18, President Lincoln arrives at the Gettysburg Lincoln Train Station before walking through Lincoln Square to the David Wills House. The evening features an open house at the Wills historic site, “Conceived in Liberty” welcome ceremony, educational presentations exploring the Gettysburg Address, cascading taps, and living history programs. Free tickets are only required for this portion of the event (November 18) taking place on Lincoln Square.

Thursday begins before sunrise as Lincoln, William Seward, and John Hay travel to Seminary Ridge. At 10 a.m., town bells, ringing for 250 seconds, signal the start of a public procession from Lincoln Square to the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. The dedication ceremony recreates the original music, prayers, Edward Everett’s oration, and President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address on the historic grounds where they were first delivered.

Visitors can meet National Park Service rangers, Lincoln scholars, and living history interpreters while following in the footsteps of Abraham Lincoln and other historic figures.

See the full schedule of events here.

See the full cast here.

For questions and comments, contact event organizers here.