Nearly 300 historians, including some Pulitzer Prize winners, are urging Pennsylvania officials to prevent a casino from being built within a half-mile of Gettysburg National Military Park.
According to the Civil War Preservation Trust, "(A)lthough the proposed casino site along the Emmitsburg Road lies outside the current administrative boundaries of Gettysburg National Military Park, it would be on land identified as historically sensitive by the American Battlefield Protection Program, an arm of the National Park Service. The application before the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board would retrofit an existing family-friendly hotel complex into a gambling resort with an initial 600 slot machines in addition to table games."
“The proposed site of the casino lies athwart the advance of Union cavalry toward what became known as South Cavalry Field, which saw substantial fighting on the afternoon of July 3, 1863," notes James McPherson, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Battle Cry of Freedom. "This ground is as hallowed as any other part of the Gettysburg battlefield, and the idea of a casino near the fields and woods where men of both North and South gave the last full measure of devotion is simply outrageous.”
Gettysburg was the backdrop for the bloodiest battle in U.S. history. The Battle of Gettysburg, fought July 1–3, 1863, involved nearly 160,000 soldiers, and nearly a third of them became casualties, according to the CWPT.
"Historians concur that the engagement was the greatest of Civil War battles, but its place in history was further cemented four months later, when President Abraham Lincoln traveled to the small Pennsylvania farm town to help dedicate a national cemetery for those who died," the trust notes. "Lincoln’s 'few appropriate remarks' for the occasion, popularly known as the Gettysburg Address, have become one of the world’s most recognized speeches."
The letter of protest, signed by 272 historians, was sent to Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board chairman Gregory Fajt.
In part, their message states that as professional historians, they “feel strongly that Gettysburg is a unique historic and cultural treasure deserving of our protection. Gettysburg belongs to all Americans equally—future generations no less than those of us alive today,” before concluding that “there are many places in Pennsylvania to build a casino, but there’s only one Gettysburg.”
Support for the letter also came from the American Historical Association, National Coalition for History, National Council on Public History, Organization of American Historians, Society for Military History and Southern Historical Association.
Comments
It's the Fourth of July, so let's reflect on history a little. 147 years ago today, Lee and his Confederate army were retreating from Gettysburg back to Virginia. What if the battle had ended differently? If Lee's army emerged from Gettysburg victorious, would the Union have lost the war? How would our country look today? I believe that if the Confederacy had won the Civil War that what we now know as the United State would be divided into several small countries. Consider the impact this would have had on history. There would have been no United States to help turn the tide in the World Wars or to stand up to the Soviet Union. We would all be living in a very different world today. Gettysburg isn't just a part of US history, it's a part of world history.
Casinos are a poor form of economic development, often taking money from those who really can't afford to lose it. I'd be interested to know the economic impact of the battlefield, I'm sure it brings millions of dollars to the local economy.
If the casino is allowed to build there, next will be an expansion for a hotel overlooking the area, they will build stores close by and anything else that will "keep" visitors money going to them. The motels and hotels near the Sacred Grounds of the Gettysburg Battlefield will close and so will the Mom and Pop businesses. Next a Walmart will file to build nearby and there will be no end for developers.
Gettysburg will NO LONGER BE THE SAME. Big Business is targeting historic lands for their own selfish profits. Don't let it happen to Gettysburg.
Residents and businesses now in the area might have thought to profit from this but that will not be the case. They will be driven out of business and an irreplaceable historic area will be forever marred.
I'm sure there are other properties further away that the casino developers can purchase without harming the battlefield's integrity and agreeable to all parties. Better to offer alternatives.
To quote President Lincoln, Gettysburg is "a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live". And, "we cannot dedicate—we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."
To even consider putting a casino anywhere near this historic site is shameful. And, despite their feeble protests, it is a national issue and should be treated as such.
I take issue with the comment that the No Casino signs are only in front of the Mc Mansions - thats bull. I live in Gettysburg and I can tell you that opposition locally is much stronger than supporters would have you believe. They figure if you keep saying it long enough people will believe it. Its a national issue, not a local one. Over 85 businesses have signed a petition against it. Gettysburg will soon be on the back of our 25 cent currency in a few months - if we were not recognized as a National Treasure would that be possible?
Consider what we would say if the French put one next to the beaches at Normandy. And just because they screwed up by putting on near Vallaey Forge does not mean we should repeat the mistake. Do what you can to help stop it.
Amen, SFP