The Historic Gettysburg-Adams County Preservation Society (HGAC) is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025. In 1988, HGAC acquired the G.A.R. Hall at 53 East Middle Street in Gettysburg and embarked on an extensive restoration project. The Hall was originally built as a Methodist Church in 1822 and was used as a hospital during the Battle of Gettysburg. After the Civil War, the Grand Army of the Republic purchased the building and used it as their meeting hall. Today it serves as the headquarters of HGAC and is also available for rental for special events. Tours of the building are available upon request.
HGAC is committed to preserving all things historic in Gettysburg and Adams County. To that end, the society offers the following:
- Underground Railroad Tours weekly at McAllister’s Mill, adjacent to the National Military Park on Baltimore Pike. Tours leave from the south end of the former Mulligan MacDuffer’s Adventure Golf parking lot every Saturday at 11:00 AM from May through August. A blue Pennsylvania Historic Marker marks the spot. The site, now a ruin with foundations and waterways still intact, was most probably the first site in Adams County that people seeking freedom found on their flight north from slavery. Suggested donations for the tour are $5 for students and $10 for adults.
- A special Educational Speaker Program series for HGAC’s 50th anniversary will be held on July 9 and 23, and August 6 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the G.A.R. Building. Free to the public.
- Annual BarnArt Show & Sale features paintings and photographs by local and regional artists referencing Adams County historic barns. Opening night is held on Friday June 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The exhibit continues on Saturday, June 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday, June 15 from noon to 4 p.m. Free and open to the public.
- Historic Barns Tour of Gettysburg and Adams County, held on September 20, 2025. Tour and check-in begin at the Round Barn, 298 Cashtown Road in Biglerville PA 17307. Advance tickets are available on Eventbrite.
- HGAC’s Architectural Salvage Warehouse is open on the first and third Saturdays, from April through October, at the Daniel Lady Farm historic site on 986 Hanover Road in Gettysburg. Browse a varied selection of vintage items, including doors and windows, furniture, ceramics and much more.
- HGAC’s Summer at Spangler program, in partnership with the Gettysburg Foundation, is held on Sundays at the George Spangler Farm beginning in June until the middle of August. Come tour a historic Pennsylvania bank barn and learn how it was built. Shuttle available from the battlefield Visitors Center.
- HGAC’s “Homespun Christmas” market , featuring handmade crafts and homemade baked goods, will be held on December 4-6 at the G.A.R. Building as part of Mainstreet Gettysburg’s Holiday weekend festival.
For more information, please consult the HGAC website at www.hgaconline.org.
