GETTYSBURG, Pa. — A one-of-a-kind and fully immersive Gettysburg experience begins at the end of this month.
Two historic homes on the battlefield grounds are now available for your next getaway. Starting May 24, 2024, the Bushman and Slyder houses are open for short-term rentals as part of the National Park Service's Historic Leasing Program.
"I think it's unlike anything else there. There just isn't anything else, even locally, that can compare to physically being on the battlefield," said Jason Martz, the communications specialist for the Gettysburg National Military Park.
It’s a new way for visitors to fully immerse themselves in one of the most pivotal places in U.S. history.
"You can't get any closer to the battlefield, you're living in it, you'll be staying in it, you'll be interacting with it," said Martz.
Some of the most iconic places in Civil War history are literally at your doorstep.
"Battles fought at places like Little Round Top and Devil's Den, and the Wheatfield in the Peach Orchard are all right here in this general vicinity," said Martz. "When the average visitor stays here, they're going to feel like they step back to July of 1863."
Along with the historical scene and feel, the inside has been fully updated with everything visitors need for a perfect getaway.
"You can go to sleep, and know that you're on the battlefield, you can wake up and see the sunrise and you're on the battlefield already, you didn't [even] have to leave your home. This is a perfect home away from home," said Martz. "Everything is up to modern standards, air conditioning, heating, everything's furnished, you just need to bring your personal stuff, and you're ready to go."
In just a week since the new overnight experience was announced, the Bushman and Slyder houses are at 69% and 90% occupancy respectively until the end of November.
If you want to get a piece of history here through the end of November, you better hurry," said Martz.
It's a unique experience for the visitor that gives just as much back.
All the proceeds from the rentals go to the National Park Service’s efforts to maintain and preserve the more than 400 historic structures on the battlefield.
"It's essentially an opportunity for the visitor to not only have this incredibly unique, immersive experience, but at the end of the day, they can know with full certainty that what they're doing is actually helping the park and helping the structures both in the short term and the long term," said Martz
All while they hope to continue to ignite the historical spark in people who visit the area.
"If you give folks an opportunity to stay in one of these historic houses, that very likely will ramp up the opportunity for more and more spark [in history]," said Martz.
For more information on how to book your stay at the Bushman or Slyder Houses, visit the Gettysburg National Military Park's website.