GETTYSBURG, Pa. — A new museum in Gettysburg has won USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award for "Best New Museum" in the United States, the Adams County Historical Society announced Friday.
Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum is operated by the Adams County Historical Society,
Nominations for the competition were made by industry experts, including editors from USA TODAY and 10Best as well as expert local contributors.
Beyond the Battle faced off against stiff competition from institutions in major cities such as New York, Washington D.C., and Las Vegas, but received the most votes.
"This accolade is a testament to the remarkable stories presented in Beyond the Battle Museum, which focuses heavily on ordinary citizens who lived through the Civil War’s deadliest battle," the Adams County Historical Society said.
The museum’s most popular feature is an immersive room called Caught in the Crossfire, profiled by The Washington Post and National Geographic, which allows visitors to experience what it was like for one local family to live through the harrowing events of July 1863.
Gettysburg Beyond the Battle officially opened its doors to the public on April 15, 2023, to great fanfare.
During its first year in operation, the museum and history center welcomed more than 30,000 visitors and hosted more than 50 events, including the 30th Anniversary of the Movie Gettysburg, and the 160th Anniversaries of the Battle of Gettysburg and Gettysburg Address.
The museum welcomed notable figures including documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, actors Stephen Lang and Tom Berenger, and authors Jeff Shaara, Harold Holzer and Susan Eisenhower, granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
“The outpouring of support from our friends, both locally and nationally, has been incredible,” said Executive Director Andrew Dalton. “We had an amazing year in 2023 and are looking forward to welcoming even more visitors in 2024. Winning this award is a tremendous honor and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, volunteers, members, and supporters.”
In celebration of being named “Best New Museum,” Beyond the Battle is thrilled to announce a free admission day for Adams County residents on Monday, January 15. The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for this special event.
To learn more about Beyond the Battle, please go to www.gettysburgbeyondthebattle.org or visit in person at 625 Biglerville Road, just north of the heart of Gettysburg.
