(Part 1 of 5)
Genesis Christian Academy Explores Gettysburg’s History on Educational Field Trip
October 18, 2024 – Gettysburg, PA: A group of 38 students, parents, and staff from Genesis Christian Academy embarked on an immersive historical journey to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for a field trip designed to bring history to life. The group, led by History teacher Kenneth Hammontree and historian Tyler Rice, departed from the school at 6:00 a.m. on Friday to explore the battle that became a turning point in the Civil War.
The trip began in the early hours, with the students shaking off sleep and passing the six-hour bus ride by singing along to songs, including those by pop icon Taylor Swift. Their destination: the historic battleground where, over the course of three days in July 1863, the fate of the nation was forever changed.
Upon arriving in Gettysburg, the group enjoyed a boxed lunch at the Gettysburg Museum before checking into their hotel. Later that evening, they received a quick introduction to the key historical landmarks before gathering for a casual pizza dinner. To end their first day, they strolled through the streets of Gettysburg, soaking in the atmosphere before turning in for the night.
The second day began bright and early. After breakfast, the group set off to explore the sites in depth, beginning with a visit to the Jenny Wade House, where Hammontree recounted the tragic story of Jenny Wade, the only civilian killed during the Battle of Gettysburg. They stood before the very door that bears the bullet hole from the shot that ended her life. A visit to Wade’s grave followed, where Tyler Rice provided context on the nearby Gettysburg Address, delivered by President Abraham Lincoln just months after the battle.
One of the highlights of the day was the group’s experience at the Gettysburg Cyclorama, an enormous 360-degree painting created by French artist Paul Philippoteaux in 1884. The artwork vividly captures the drama of Pickett’s Charge, the climactic final assault of the battle.
At 3:45 p.m., the students retraced the steps of Confederate General George Pickett’s soldiers, walking the same open field where the infamous charge took place, bringing a new level of understanding to the battle’s intensity and the soldiers’ bravery.
On the final day of their trip, after a morning service at the cemetery, the group reflected on the trip’s powerful lessons before beginning the journey back to Ohio.
This field trip to Gettysburg offered Genesis Christian Academy students a unique opportunity to witness history firsthand, deepening their connection to the Civil War and its pivotal impact on American history.
Part 2: The Strange Stories of the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863: A Field Trip Discovery
Part 3: Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg – July 3, 1863
Part 4: Historic Journey Through Gettysburg Battlefields: Little Round Top and Devil’s Den
Part 5: Gettysburg’s History: Gettysburg Address
