Gettysburg’s Remembrance Day Weekend

By Jay Purdy · Originally published February 2017 · pp. 1–6

Hailed as the “bellwether” show and this year’s show did not disappoint the collecting community.

The Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association saluted another successful year and looked ahead to 2017 at its annual membership dinner Nov. 18 at the Dobbin House Tavern as part of the Remembrance Day weekend. The first part of the evening was dedicated to remembering GBPA Board of Directors member George H. Lomas who passed away in September. Lomas was an iconic figure among sutlers and historic reenactors, a groundbreaker as the hobby of reenacting historic America blossomed with the Civil War Centennial observance in the 1960’s. Among Lomas’ achievements was being one of three co-founders of the Gettysburg Anniversary Committee and its establishing a well-organized annual reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg. In addition to promoting the battle event, each year a portion of the proceeds was donated to a variety of Gettysburg and Adams County preservation projects and organizations. Personal reminisces of George Lomas included an interview he did with Mifflin Guard reenactor and video producer Rich Mendoza. The interview included humorous comments about Lomas’ hair being disheveled at the moment and his reputation for asking people if they have a comb before he was photographed. Each place-setting at the banquet included a comb in his memory. Another GAC reenactment co-founder, Adams County Commissioner Randy Phiel, added his own memories of working with Lomas in the early days, including the massive135th anniversary reenactment in 1998 that brought together 17,000 reenactors, the nation’s largest ever historical reenactment. Pennsylvania State Representative Daniel Maul presented a state legislature condolence citation to Susan Weiklien, a friend and business partner of Lomas. The GBPA is preparing a memorial stone honoring Lomas in the memorial garden of its Historic Daniel Lady Farm on Hanover Road. The scheduling will be especially convenient to the many other sutlers who got to know Lomas over the decades as the dedication will be at the July 2017 GAC event. The service will include firing a salute from a reproduction 10-pounder Parrott cannon that Lomas donated to the GBPA for Lady Farm events. Another feature at the banquet was a show of thanks for a group of volunteers dedicated

Pennsylvania State Rep. Daniel Maul presents a legislative certificate of condolences to Susan Weiklien, a long-time friend and business partner of sutler and Gettysburg Anniversary Committee co-founder George Lomas. to maintaining the lawn around the Lady house and barn as well as the Memorial Garden and parking area. Members received certificates of appreciation from GBPA. Their donated time in 2016 approached 1,000 hours. Speaking on behalf of the volunteers, Richard Biedel said the group was not only proud of the maintenance job, but they expanded useable space through brush removal. Biedel noted that this past summer, the grassy areas were as green and lush as one would find on a country club golf fairway. Kirk Davis, GBPA VicePresident of Operations, reported the Historic Daniel Lady Farm is growing in its reputation as a camping site for Boy Scout troops from the Mid-Atlantic region. A total of 984 scouts spent a weekend on the farm, up 178 from 2015. Many devoted time to farm improvements, including gardening and erecting a splitrail fence across the front of the farm and the Memorial Garden in addition to taking in house and barn historical tours and venturing off the farm to learn about the legacy of Gettysburg in the National Park and the borough of Gettysburg. Davis announced that the farm is now open year-round for Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops who want to take on the challenge winter camping. The farm is recognized as an approved campground by the Boy Scouts of America. More information about the scout camping program is available at www.gbpa.org/ Scout-Camping-on-the-LadyFarm.html. New historical programs are being planned for the farm in 2017, including musical evenings on Fridays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day Adams County Commissioner Randy Phiel reminisces about his long friendship with George Lomas and the founding of the Gettysburg Anniversary Committee. Phiel and Lomas devoted long hours organizing the annual Battle of Gettysburg. Their efforts included putting together the huge 135th anniversary reenactment in 1998, the nation’s largest ever historical reenactment. Close to 20,000 reenactors took the field over three days in front of tens of thousands of spectators.

A contingent of members of the Confederation of Union Generals attended the GBPA banquet. Robert Hanrahan, left, who portrays Gen. John Gibbons, is a member of the GBPA Board of Directors.

that will feature individuals and groups from the region. Davis announced that in 2017 historical reenactment groups and military units will be able to camp on the farm FREE OF CHARGE on weekends as long as they provide living history demonstrations for visitors. The farm will continue to welcome individual living historians wishing to present their impressions to the public. Questions about the camping program, scout or reenactor, can be directed to Kirk Davis at 717338-1776, or by email at info@ gbpa.org. In 2016, the GBPA-sponsored Venture Crew 1861 Boy Scout unit continued to grow in members. The unit portrays the fife and drum musicians of the First Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry at events and reenactments. Troop organizers say the expansion will improve their ability to have musicians representing both the North and South at appearances. Current members of the Venture Crew hail from Gettysburg, York, Lancaster and Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, plus Baltimore and Manchester, Maryland. The Crew has a website at www. [email protected].

A New Jersey Boy Scout troop learns from GBPA Vice-President for Operations Kirk Davis about the Confederate field hospital for wounded officers that was in the front parlor of the house on the Historic Daniel Lady Farm in July 1863.

Battlefield Development Threat Discussed Also at the dinner, President Barb Mowery reported that the GBPA’s campaign to prevent development on remaining battlefield land between Hanover and York roads met with at least temporary success as it appears

Richard Biedel and other Daniel Lady Farm volunteers cited for their work to maintain the grounds around the house, barn, parking areas and the Memorial Garden. the corporation eyeing the site for a mega-store may have backed out and that no further action had been brought before the Straban Township Board of Supervisors. However, since the banquet, it appears that on-site planning is underway for extending Camp Letterman Drive through much of the tract. “If that road is built as outlined, box store and other commercial development are sure to follow,” said Mowery, “even if there’s not a super-store involved. It will still be a desecration of hallowed battlefield ground, so we’re prepared to resume our campaign.” In the 1863 battle, Confederate regiments, mainly from Louisiana, advanced across the property during their assault on the Union right flank on Culp’s Hill. The GBPA has a website at www.gbpa.org.