Come join us on hallowed ground and learn more about one of the most important events in American history

As the project director of "On Hallowed Ground: Gettysburg in History & Memory," it is my pleasure to invite you to join us in Gettysburg to learn about the ongoing significance of this place. Applicants chosen as workshop participants will be joined here by fellow teachers from around the country and taught by leading scholars of Civil War history whose work is focused especially on this battle and its reverberating significance. They will also have an opportunity to reflect on the momentous things that happened here while, for a short time at least, staying here: applicants will be invited to stay right on campus at Gettysburg College, within walking distance of town and within a short walk of some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Pennsylvania, scenery preserved and protected by the generosity of the American people.

The staff and scholars supporting this workshop are eager to identify teachers with a passion for learning history, and for connecting it to other social and cultural phenomena, to join us next summer. You need not be a history or social studies teacher to apply; since the workshop is focused on presenting the idea of Gettysburg through many different lenses, we encourage teachers of literature, art, philosophy, theater, music, and even apparently unrelated disciplines such as mathematics and science to apply. We also encourage applications from teachers who work with children at any stage of development, from early childhood through high school. We believe that a diversity of viewpoints and perspectives will enrich and strengthen the conversations that happen here during the workshop, and we also believe that participating can have an impact on teachers whether they formally teach about Gettysburg and the Civil War in their classrooms or not.

What we ask is that selected participants bring with them a powerful desire to learn more about Gettysburg and the motivation to immerse themselves in a challenging scholarly endeavor. Applicants should note that all NEH Landmarks workshops are designed to be intellectually challenging and academically rigorous, and it is expected that anyone chosen as a workshop participant will commit to attending and actively engaging in all workshop activities. As you consider applying, please note that we expect competition for the limited number of spaces available at this workshop to be robust. Please use the application provided to give a sense of what you would gain by being here and how it will affect your work with students in the future. Our hope is that the reach of this workshop will extend well beyond the borders of Gettysburg and promote, with apologies to President Lincoln, a "new birth of freedom" in the way teachers teach about what happened here.

WORKSHOP DATES

Our summer 2025 Landmarks workshops will be held in two one-week sessions. The first session will be held from June 22–28, 2025; the second session will be held from July 6–12, 2025. When you complete your application you will be able to select which week works best for you or, if either week will do, you may select that option instead.

Participant Expectations & ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Please bear in mind, as per NEH guidelines, that individuals may apply for participation in a maximum of two projects, but may attend only one. Also, please take note of NEH’s Principles of Civility for Professional Development Programs and Eligibility Requirements, which are also available on our application page. All participants are expected to abide by these guidelines and principles for the duration of their participation in an NEH-sponsored program.

Applicants should also note that all NEH program participants are expected to create a formal teaching project reflecting their participation in the program, and are also required to complete a formal evaluation of the program at its conclusion.

Participants will receive a taxable $1,300 stipend to defray costs associated with participating in the program. For more information about arrangements and accommodations offered on campus at Gettysburg College during the workshop, please visit our Accommodations & Arrangements page.

A Final Word

We are exceptionally excited to be able to offer this Landmarks program for the third time in the summer of 2025 and look forward to welcoming two new cohorts of teachers to Gettysburg next summer. If you think one of your colleagues may be interested in joining this program, or if you would like to join us yourself, feel free to contact me with questions. I look forward to hearing from you!

Dave Powell, Ph.D. — Project Director

For more information about the Landmarks of American History & Culture Program sponsored by the National Endowment  for the Humanities, visit NEH on the web at http://www.neh.gov/.