Restored Cyclorama

[ScottWashburn]

My reenactment unit was part of the honor guard at the ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday. We stood through an hour and a half of speaches (but for once they were GOOD speaches :) ) My duties did not leave me time to see the cyclorama, but I spoke with a number of people (including some of my men) who did and they were all completely overwhelmed. They said that it is absolutely stunning. The cyclorama in the original building was just a pale shadow compared to the restored version. To a man they said that the cyclorama completely justified every cent spent on the new center and silenced any criticism they may have had of it before. I won't get a chance to see it until November, but I'm really looking forward to it.

[GrumpyDave]

How much was the Gettysburg Foundation charging to view a painting that belongs to the nation?

[Pvt Schnapps]

How much was the Gettysburg Foundation charging to view a painting that belongs to the nation?

http://www.friendsofgettysburg.org/GettysburgCycloramaPaintingtoReopenonSept.26.htm

Free if you're under five, $7 if you're 6-12, and $12 if you're 13 or older. Could eventually run higher, depending on how much it cost to bail out the ultimate profiteers. ;)

[RJSamp]

How much was the Gettysburg Foundation charging to view a painting that belongs to the nation?

You've lost me on this....you are saying that security, HVAC, roof over its head, paved parking, flush johns,etc. should be paid by all of us to allow a few to view it? User fees have been 'standard' at many, if not the vast majority, of public venues.....yes you have to pay a fee to walk in the woods and view the mountains up close that belongs to the nation, etc.

[Pvt Schnapps]

You've lost me on this....you are saying that security, HVAC, roof over its head, paved parking, flush johns,etc. should be paid by all of us to allow a few to view it? User fees have been 'standard' at many, if not the vast majority, of public venues.....yes you have to pay a fee to walk in the woods and view the mountains up close that belongs to the nation, etc.

There were certain benefits one used to get simply as a consequence of citizenship or, actually, just showing up. There's something wonderfully American about sharing the nation's treasures with the world, whether they're among the holdings of the Smithsonian and the Archives (still free for the most part) or our national parks (no longer, alas).

It seems especially civically enlightened to invite the world to see our great battlefields, where so much of our national character and ethos was established, at great cost.

In contrast it seems petty and mean to charge for any of this, as well as counter-productive from an educational perspective.

I know it all costs something to maintain, but there's been plenty of money these last several years for counter-productive tax breaks and bailouts, and a tiny fraction of the amount now under discussion could cover all the funding shortfalls in our parks as well as establish a trust fund with which to pay for them indefinitely.

It's a matter of priorities, I guess.

[GrumpyDave]

RJ, I've never minded paying a nominal fee to see the painting. At the old venue it was between 50 cents and $2.00. And, I don't mind paying a nominal fee, like at Antetiam($5.00) to get into the visitors center and roam the park.

But, the Gettysburg Foundation's leader makes $325,000 a year, and what rubs me the wrong way, personally is the $8.00 charge to watch the 15 minute movie(when it first opened) and now a $12 charge per adult to walk through the doors of a building, that was supposed to have the money raised to be built and, a restored painting again, that was supposed to be paid for. Yes, I've sent the Gettysburg foundation what I consider a considerible amount of money during the process of putting up the new venue and restoring the painting but, no more. When the NPS has to hold hearings, questioning the fees, of someone the NPS contracted. And, on to p of all of this, you pay "ammusement park" price for food and beverages inside the building.

No, I don't see anything wrong with helping out with the electric bill, paying some salary, and paying for the upkeep of the huge collection I can't even see without an appointment. But where are teh profits from the food vendors and the book/trinket store going? But, can't the National Military Park with the largest attendence in the US, with more discussion historically, and more written about it than any onthe CW field, do a better job of managing itself?

I'll pay to see the painting...once.

[TheColorBearer]

RJ, I've never minded paying a nominal fee to see the painting. At the old venue it was between 50 cents and $2.00. And, I don't mind paying a nominal fee, like at Antetiam($5.00) to get into the visitors center and roam the park.

But, the Gettysburg Foundation's leader makes $325,000 a year, and what rubs me the wrong way, personally is the $8.00 charge to watch the 15 minute movie(when it first opened) and now a $12 charge per adult to walk through the doors of a building, that was supposed to have the money raised to be built and, a restored painting again, that was supposed to be paid for. Yes, I've sent the Gettysburg foundation what I consider a considerible amount of money during the process of putting up the new venue and restoring the painting but, no more. When the NPS has to hold hearings, questioning the fees, of someone the NPS contracted. And, on to p of all of this, you pay "ammusement park" price for food and beverages inside the building.

No, I don't see anything wrong with helping out with the electric bill, paying some salary, and paying for the upkeep of the huge collection I can't even see without an appointment. But where are teh profits from the food vendors and the book/trinket store going? But, can't the National Military Park with the largest attendence in the US, with more discussion historically, and more written about it than any onthe CW field, do a better job of managing itself?

I'll pay to see the painting...once.


couldn't agree more with this statement. A lot of it stems from Location, location, location. You taek an ordinary item that sells for 50$ anywhere, and then try to find it in gettysburg, it costs 150$.

[RJSamp]

couldn't agree more with this statement. A lot of it stems from Location, location, location. You taek an ordinary item that sells for 50$ anywhere, and then try to find it in gettysburg, it costs 150$.

Understand where both you and Grumpy Dave are coming from, thanks.

There is a reason that I no longer see movies at movie theatres......it started with many theatres no longer stocking Dots.....

LITE/LIGHT Beer (which is like making love in a canoe and is not considered to be Beer) is fast approaching $10 a 'large cup' at many pro sports venues.....just another reason to not attend.

[indguard]

You guys DO realize that the entire reason this painting was created back in the late 1800s was to make money, right? Why shouldn't the thing be there to make money even today??

I see nothing wrong at all with an entry fee. As long as it isn't ridiculous... but then if it's ridiculously high it WON'T make money, will it?

Remember how America is all about capitalism??

WTH
The AdamSmith Mess

[TheColorBearer]

LITE/LIGHT Beer (which is like making love in a canoe and is not considered to be Beer) is fast approaching $10 a 'large cup' at many pro sports venues.....just another reason to not attend.

spot on !

Thats why I drink a sixer in the parking lot before hand, just for warm-ups then sip on a beer inside for a bit.

[RJSamp]

You guys DO realize that the entire reason this painting was created back in the late 1800s was to make money, right? Why shouldn't the thing be there to make money even today??

I see nothing wrong at all with an entry fee. As long as it isn't ridiculous... but then if it's ridiculously high it WON'T make money, will it?

Remember how America is all about capitalism??

WTH
The AdamSmith Mess

The point was they felt like the fee was ridiculous.....

"Remember how America is all about capitalism??" Well, Not lately.....somehow Government Ownership and Government Venue raking in money don't equate to Capitalism for this old Econ major....am sure Shumpeter is turning over in his grave at the latest events..... DJIA down 700 as it fluctuates wildly....

[GrumpyDave]

DOTS! Yes, and they dont' sell DOTS!

Can get em' at the dollar store though.

[flattop32355]

DOTS! Yes, and they dont' sell DOTS!
Can get em' at the dollar store though.

So long as they are selling Hawaiian Ices.
They are selling Hawaiian Ices, aren't they? :confused:

[tompritchett]

I need to remind the readers of this thread that discussions of modern politics are not allowed in the Military Discussion conference. You can discuss all you want to about whether or not the Foundation is milking the taxpayers but leave off any generalizations about political parties, the current administration or whichever new administration you think will win in November.

[Ephraim_Zook]

LITE/LIGHT Beer (which is like making love in a canoe and is not considered to be Beer) is fast approaching $10 a 'large cup' at many pro sports venues.....just another reason to not attend.
Patience, RJ. Patience. You'll get a free beer tomorrow. :p

[7thNJcoA]

Do any of you know if they have a Veterans discount now? The issue I know has been brought up and shot down numerous times. It really gets me that the people who help defend the country have to pay to view something they just sacrificed to defend. This is another story for another time.... I still enjoy the free museaums in D.C. although I see those going to a fee not too far in the future low around $2.00 but still a fee.

[hendrickms24]

Do any of you know if they have a Veterans discount now? The issue I know has been brought up and shot down numerous times. It really gets me that the people who help defend the country have to pay to view something they just sacrificed to defend. This is another story for another time.... I still enjoy the free museaums in D.C. although I see those going to a fee not too far in the future low around $2.00 but still a fee.


I have not heard one way or the other about whether veteran discounts are available. As a veteran I think that a discount is just plain silly just like ones given to senior citizens! There should be either a straight fee or one for adults and one for children. I join the military to give service to my country and should be treated like all the rest of the citizens of this country. Heck we are all supposes to be equal.