I’ve gotten to the final post from the trip Mr. Q and I took out east in May.
As promised, I brought something home from this trip to give away so be sure to read to the end today! Or, if you have absolutely no interest in Gettysburg, just go ahead and skip straight to the end now. I won’t mind 😉
For the final three days of our trip, we swung through Philly to pick up our nephew and then we headed to Gettysburg. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I got to see some of the most amazing public gardens on this trip, and in return for his patience, Mr. Q got to see some battlefields.
For those of you who were passing notes about your boyfriend in history class instead of paying attention, the Battle of Gettysburg was the bloodiest conflict of the Civil War with over 51,000 casualties. The battle took place over three days in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in July 1863.
At the time the entire population of Gettysburg was only around 2,400, and it was surrounded by rural farmsteads.
Although I learned lots of facts about why this battle took place here (to prevent the Confederates from taking Harrisburg, PA which was then the capital of Pennsylvania and a crucial supply hub for the union army), and what divisions skirmished where (the 1st Minnesota Infantry charged the confederates near Cemetery Ridge and lost over 80% of their 262 men) , the details that were most interesting to me were how the 2,400 residents of Gettysburg were impacted.
We learned a lot about that on a ghost tour that we took on our first night in town. This was a walking tour of the center of town and our guide pointed out specific buildings that dated back to the war and gave us lots of gruesome details about how the town was eventually inundated with casualties. Certainly if any place was going to be haunted, the town of Gettysburg would be a prime location for it, but almost all Gettysburg ghost stories are complete fiction according to The American Battlefield Trust.
Up until this tour, I hadn’t realized that parts of the battle took place in the town itself, not just out in the surrounding farm fields (I was probably passing a note in class when they talked about that). Some of the buildings in town still have artillery shells embedded in their walls. Many of the women and children in town fled before the fighting began, and most of the rest took shelter in their cellars. Amazingly enough, there was only one civilian casualty of the war and that was a young woman named Jennie Wade. She was kneading dough in the kitchen to make more of the biscuits that she was handing out to soldiers when a bullet passed through two wooden doors and straight into her heart.
It seems miraculous to me that there was only one civilian casualty.
However, although only one civilian died during the battle, the town itself was rendered nearly uninhabitable after it was over. Farm fields had been trampled and/or burned, any livestock was commandeered by the troops, and buildings were badly damaged. But even worse, there were those over 50,000 casualties (the term ‘casualty’ refers to dead, wounded, missing or captured). There were around 7,000 killed in the battle, and another 33,000 wounded. Any large building in the area was turned into a field hospital for the wounded. Many of the women in town were enlisted to act as nurses.
In addition it was a hot and steamy July, and there were 7,000+ dead bodies to be dealt with. The air became incredibly foul, and so did the ground water. I don’t even want to imagine what that was like.
On our 2nd day in Gettysburg, we hired a licensed battlefield guide to take us on a guided tour of the Gettysburg National Military Park. If you ever go to Gettysburg, I can’t recommend this enough. You can hire the guide right at the Visitor’s Center. We paid $117 (plus tip) for a three hour tour in our own vehicle. The guide drives your vehicle, and customizes the itinerary based on your interests.
In our case, Mr. Q wanted to see a bit of everything, but especially where the 1st Minnesota fought.
By the way, there are over 1,300 monuments in this park. It’s a bit overwhelming. In some areas they are just lined up one after another.
Some are a little more simple.
While some are impressively grandiose.
That is the Pennsylvania State Memorial, and the largest monument in Gettysburg which makes sense.
Our guide was a retired college professor and incredibly knowledgeable. Mr. Q and the nephew were enthralled for the entire 3 hours (I may or may not have been passing notes, albeit via text rather than paper).
Once our 3 hour tour concluded, we headed off for lunch and then went back to the Visitor’s Center to see the film, the cyclorama and the museum. It took most of the afternoon to see those, so if you’re planning a trip to Gettysburg keep that in mind. I recommend planning at least a full day for the Military Park and another half day or full day to see the town, maybe do a ghost tour like we did, or tour some of the many historical buildings.
Mr. Q and I had an amazing time on our trip out to the east coast. If you are a fan of gardens, you should add the Brandywine Valley to your bucket list. We totally enjoyed our visits to Longwood Gardens, Winterthur, Nemours, and historic New Castle. Those gardens were just the tip of the iceberg, there are over 30 public gardens in the Philadelphia area.
And if you are a fan of battlefields, the Brandywine Battlefield was very interesting and easy to see in half a day. Gettysburg is about a 2.5 hour drive away, and obviously well worth adding on to your trip.
As I mentioned, I did pick up a couple of things to give away.
I purchased the book, A Year at Brandywine Cottage, at Longwood Gardens.
I’m also including the Vintage Garden Style magazine that I found at a grocery store out there. I purchased the Jennie Wade of Gettysburg book at the National Military Park. It’s a short read telling the story of that one civilian who was killed at the Battle of Gettysburg.
I decided to throw in a few more garden themed items too, including the I.O.D. Lover of Flowers transfer and two of the Dixie Belle Heirloom Roses decoupage papers.
Finally I’m also including some Dixie Belle paint in English Ivy and Magnolia as well as some of their Big Mama’s Butta in a floral scent called Suzanne’s Garden and some of their newest gilding wax in a color called Antique Gold.
That last item, the gilding wax, is in homage to all of the gilding we saw at the Nemours Estate.
I wish I could give these things to each and every one of you, but unfortunately that isn’t possible. But please know that I do appreciate all of you. But unfortunately there will only be one winner of this drawing.
The rules for today’s giveaway: Simply leave a comment on this blog post and let me know which location we visited was your favorite.
Your comment must be left on this blog post, not on Facebook or Instagram.
I will randomly draw the name of a winner for today’s prize from all of the comments left on this post by Sunday, July 6, 2025 at the stroke of midnight (U.S. Central time).
The fine print: no purchase necessary, you must be 18 years of age or older to win, void where prohibited by law, the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning, approximate retail value of prize is $200, if the prize is not claimed by Wednesday, July 16, 2025 another name will be drawn at random to win, yada, yada, yada.
Good luck!
Thank you to Dixie Belle Paint Co for supplying all of their items that I’m giving away today!
q is for quandie 
Thanks for sharing your tour of Gettysburg! While I enjoyed your entire post, my favorite part was your tour of the Gettysburg National Military Park. Seeing all the statues, and thinking of how difficult it was to build the statues without todays tools, made me even more impressed with them.
Thanks for the tour!!
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Thank you for the history lesson! We toured Gettysburg with the kids about 20 years ago- I had forgotten a lot of the details. Always look forward to your blog!
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I love the feeling of history coming alive at Gettysburg. Every time there’s something new I notice! I haven’t been to long wood gardens but it’s next on my list of places to visit!
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Thank you for your thorough insight into the Gettysburg Battlefield and the town of Gettysburg. The Gettysburg Address is, in my opinion, the best speech ever written by a U.S. President. As Lincoln said, “ The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here…..and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Those words are as important today as they were in 1863, some 162 years ago! What a wonderful trip you, Mr. Q and your nephew made…all Americans should make the same and never forget what they did there.
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The museum at the Military Park had an exhibit that showed some of the critics responses to Lincoln’s speech at the time. Many of them called it dull or silly. One even called it unmemorable … which of course is ironic seeing as it’s probably one of the only presidential speeches that most Americans can quote today. That, and Kennedy’s ‘ask not what you can do for your country …’ Well, and then of course there’s always Clinton’s famous ‘I did not have … ‘, well, you probably know the rest of that one.
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You have inspired me to visit the Brandywine Valley. I would love to see Winterhur and Longwood Gardens. Thanks for the information and lovely photos.
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I hope you get to go, it was an awesome trip!
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Darn it…I hate to travel but you always make it sound so worth it. My husband would LOVE the Gettysburg tour and I would love the tour you did of Winterthur Gardens. I am fascinated by the Jennie Wade story. No good deed goes unpunished.
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Out of all the travel Mr. Q and I have done, this trip was absolutely one of the easiest as far as travel goes. I’m not sure how far you are from Philly, but for us it’s a 2 1/2 hour flight, easy peasy. The rental car pickup involved a 2 minute shuttle bus ride, and then everything was done on my phone on the app. We literally just had to walk into the lot and pick out whichever car we wanted from a certain section. Using Google to navigate was so simple, we found every location easily. In other words, if you’re looking for a trip that is hassle free, this one definitely was!
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Wonderful!!
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
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The Pennsylvania State Memorial is so impressive, but love the guy on the horse too ! I would have enjoyed Gettysburg, but I have to admit while the tour would have been interesting, I sometimes find information overload with dates and details. We took a short cemetery tour here in my hometown and the overload of dates about did me in!! Oh, and I would love to win the giveaway! I use quite a bit of Dixie Belle!
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I will confess that towards the end of our trip we did suffer from a bit of ‘tour overload’, but having a good guide helps make boring dates and historical facts a lot more interesting. I’ve never been one for memorizing dates, but I find stories about people’s experiences fascinating. Our Gettysburg guide really painted a picture of the battlefield on a sweltering hot July day as men from the 1st Minnesota charged into a sea of confederates, likely knowing that they would die that day.
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The Gettysburg battlefield was very interesting especially here at July 4th. I do love to see the all the gardens you visit plus the street views of containers and window boxes. Always enjoy your trip tours!!
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Your trip tours blogs are awesome!! Brandywine Battlefield was my favorite.
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I think Longwood Gardens was my favourite but your whole trip looks wonderful. It is an area steeped in history that shaped your country. Thanks for taking me on an armchair trip I would never have seen.
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I toured Gettysburg many (many) years ago on a family vacation. I was most impressed by the battlefield and what happened there. To imagine all the souls that were lost there!
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Hi! I enjoyed the pictures of the Nemours Estate to most. The French inspired garden with the waterfall is divine. Thanks for having the giveaway!
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I’ve been to Gettysburg about 60 years ago and would adore visiting again. I would thoroughly appreciate the history tour. Sounds amazing.
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Definitely so loving this post! Headed to Gettysburg mid July! Thanks for the tips. Is there anyway to get the same tour guide you had? Do you have a name by chance? Thanks either way.
Sent from my iPhone
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Oh shoot, I don’t remember his name. There are over 100 licensed guides, and I’m not sure how much luck you would have requesting a specific one. Either way, I absolutely recommend hiring one, it’s well worth the money.
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I loved this post! My husband and I have gone to a number battlefields in Virginia and would love to see the ones you have described. The history of America is so interesting and also one we should not forget, lest we repeat it. Thanks for all your posts – love them.
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Love your travelogues in addition to your fine craftswomanship. Have a healthy summer Linda and Mr. Q and your assorted behind the scenes crew.
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What a fabulous trip. I’ve enjoyed all your posts – gardens and battlefields – and am glad you and Mr. Q were able to craft a vacation that catered to both your interests. The tour of Gettysburg sounds like the perfect way to see it. Thanks for sharing that tip! Thanks also for the fabulous and generous giveaway. ❤️
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loved the part of your visit to Gettysburg. Reminded me of visiting with my family in 1982.
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I would love to visit Gettysburg itself and learn about the town and its role in the war. I think visiting the battlefields would be a bore. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
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Honestly, I think driving around on our own and looking at the monuments would have been a bore. Having a guide made all the difference since he could explain just exactly what we were looking at (we mostly stopped at specific battle locations rather than monuments).
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I would love to visit New Castle. Although I live on the east coast, I have never been there though I have been to the other places you visited on this trip. I am always up for somewhere new. I really enjoyed this post although I am not a big fan of visiting battlefields. About the only thing I remembered from our trip to Gettysburg was the Jenny Wade story!
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You’re so lucky to live on the east coast with so many places with historical significance nearby. Here in Minnesota we have very few. I guess we just have to travel a bit further afield to see some history!
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I liked the Gettysburg location.
I enjoy all of your blogs-reading them is like reading a letter from an old friend.
Thanks for the give away!
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Thanks so much!
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Sounds like a very interesting tour! I like the Pennsylvania State Memorial because I am always drawn to that shape of building.
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well that’s it. I’m Going to Gettysburg
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Do it! But also go to the Brandywine Valley. It is about 2.5 hours away, but really worth it.
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I was in Gettysburg years ago. So full of history! I enjoyed your story about Jennie Wade and how the townspeople were impacted by the battle. I didn’t know you could hire your own battlefield guide. Great information.
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I’ve loved all of your posts from this trip – the gardens being my favorite!
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I would love to visit Gettysburg soon. Thanks for all the info it really helps to narrow down our itinerary.
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I have enjoyed reading about your trip to Gettysburg. That is an area we have talked about visiting but haven’t made the trip out there yet. I know I would enjoy Longwood Gardens as well as the battlefields. Such an historic place.
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So glad you enjoyed your trip. It’s a lovely area to visit. Of course, it’s my neck of the woods, so I’m partial 🙂 Valerie
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Lucky you to be in an area with so much to see. There are so many public gardens! I’d love to come back again some day to see more of them.
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What a great trip. Longwood Gardens looks beautiful, and I will add it to the bucket list!
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I love, love, love history and this trip is right up my alley. I find you are a great travel blog too☺️. If I ever venture onto a plane again, I’d love to go to Pennsylvania. In the mean time, I’m planning road trips from the west coast to Detroit…..
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Detroit? I’m guessing you have family there? That’s a long road trip from the west coast!
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I always learn something from your blog posts—whether DIY related, history or gardening! This sounded like a great trip. There are many spots in the US that I would like to visit.
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I’ve visited Gettysburg twice. It is so full of history. Unfortunately my visit to Longwood was in the Fall and there was not much left to see.
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we hope to visit the Gettysburg National Military Park, and need to plan a trip soon! The guided tour seems like the way to go, so thank you for sharing your experience. The Pennsylvania State Memorial is stunning!
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For some reas
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I forgot to say that I would visit Denemours first of all the places you mentioned. I’m a big fan of historic homes and gardens.
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Wow what a trip! My husband would have just love the Gettysburg National Memorial Park. He loves the history type of things. I definitely would have preferred the Longwood gardens. I am sure that I was also passing notes in History class. 😉
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🙂
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Hi there! I actually lived in PA for a couple of years & got to visit Longwood Gardens. It is such a beautiful & peaceful place! The day we were there, Buddhist monks were making sand paintings. They were AMAZING!! Your Longwood Gardens post was my favorite since it brought back a wonderful memory from years ago! 🩷
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That sounds fantastic!
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I love your post about Gettysburg. You’re blog is the best.
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Nemours Estate was my personal fav, I like to look at pictures and imagine myself being there. Thank you for sharing Linda! ☺️
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I live in south central PA, but it’s been ages since I visited the Brandywine Valley or Gettysburg. Thanks for the reminder not to overlook these interesting places just because they are so close to home. I always enjoy your blog!
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I think Longwood gardens, and especially that conservatory, would be wonderful to see. Thanks for “taking us along” on your adventure! 😉
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I think a visit to Longwood, and especially that conservatory, would be wonderful. Thank you for “taking us along” on your little adventure! 😉
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oh my goodness – I was so far behind with my email (and blog posts!) that I was spending this hot humid day catching up! Just in time to be entered into your fabulous giveaway!
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The wildflower that you couldn’t identify along the Gateway Trail is Crown Vetch. The DNR uses it all over Minnesota along highways and the interstates. It’s a fabulous native plant for pollinators. Only reason I know so much about it is because the DNR leases land from a friend of ours who owns a 125 year old farm down in Spring Grove MN (south eastern MN) where they grow the plants and harvest the seeds along with big and little Blue Stem too.
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What great info, thanks so much!
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