Higher fees are being proposed for visiting the museum and visitors center at Gettysburg National Military Park/NPS

The Gettysburg Foundation is proposing a fee increase beginning in January 2017 for tickets to the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center's Cyclorama painting, film, and museum experience.

Ticket fees are collected by the nonprofit Gettysburg Foundation, which is responsible for operations of the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center on behalf of the National Park Service.

"Since January 2012, our partner's operating costs for the museum and visitor center have increased," said Gettysburg Superintendent Ed W. Clark. "The National Park Service is considering this proposed increase so the nonprofit Gettysburg Foundation can sustainably operate our outstanding visitor facilities and ongoing preservation and education programs."

Under the proposal, fees for the David Wills House, Eisenhower National Historic Site, and Licensed Battlefield Guides would also increase.

Suggested 2017 fees for Cyclorama painting, film and museum experience:

* Adult (ages 13+) - $15 (currently $12.50)

* Seniors & AAA - $14 (currently $11.50)

* Youth (ages 6-12) - $10 (currently $8.50)

* Child (ages 5 and under) - Free

* Active Duty U.S. Military - Free

* Group: Adults - $ 13 (currently $10)

* Group: Students (K‐12) - $ 9 (currently $8)

In addition, the proposal increases the fee for the Eisenhower National Historic Site from $7.50 per adult to $9 per adult, with discounts for seniors, youth and groups. The increase for the David Wills House is from $6.50 per adult to $7 per adult, with discounts for seniors, youth and groups. The proposal increases the basic fee for a two-hour car tour with a Licensed Battlefield Guide from $65 to $75, with comparable increases for bus tours and other tours with Licensed Battlefield Guides.

The public is invited to ask questions or provide comments at the Gettysburg National Military Park Advisory Commission meeting on Thursday, April 28, at 7 pm at the park Museum and Visitor Center, 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg.

Ongoing Financial Support from the Gettysburg Foundation

The Gettysburg Foundation funded, designed and constructed the park's $ 103 million museum and visitor center, which opened in 2008. In the past ten years, the Foundation raised nearly $30 million to support:

* $2 million for education programs

*$21 million for acquisition of land, historic structures and artifacts

* $5.7 million to preserve historic landscapes, structures and monuments

* $1.2 million to support the commemoration of 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Address.

Gettysburg National Military Park has no entrance fee. The self-guided auto tour of the battlefield is free. Throughout the spring, summer and fall park rangers offer free programs on the battlefield, in the Soldiers' National Cemetery, and in the museum and visitor center. National Park Service student education programs, Junior Ranger activities, use of the resource room, library and many other activities are free.

The fee increase proposal for Gettysburg National Military Park is available on the National Park Service planning website. Public comment is being taken through May 25.