Has Gettysburg Kicked its Kitsch Factor? (1 Viewer)

[William S. Grey]

Nice feature about Gettysburg from Smithsonian magazine.
Here's the link:

www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/Has-Gettysburg-Kicked-Its-Kitsch-Factor-199349871.html

Bill
www.eastcoasttoysoldiershow.com
www.facebook.com/EastCoastToySoldierShow

 

[Scott]

Nice feature about Gettysburg from Smithsonian magazine.
Here's the link:

www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/Has-Gettysburg-Kicked-Its-Kitsch-Factor-199349871.html

Bill
www.eastcoasttoysoldiershow.com
www.facebook.com/EastCoastToySoldierShow

Thanks for the link! I enjoy some of the kitsch within it's boundaries. It's like a Red Light district of guilty pleasures.
.


"..Though the daughter of a millionaire, she loved cheap knickknacks, including Hummels, a plate she bought for $2.61 at the battlefield Stuckey’s and plastic presidential figurines she collected from cereal boxes..."

You can now get repros of those figures. The Hobby Bunker and other stores have them.

 

[swalterh]

"The street closest to the battleground is a gaudy strip that includes the wax museum, a model train museum, Servant’s Olde-Tyme Photos and shops peddling cap guns, toy soldiers and paranormal gear for the town’s dozen ghost tours."

-http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/Has-Gettysburg-Kicked-Its-Kitsch-Factor

Apparently the article includes "peddling" toy soldiers in the "Kitsch" factor. If they only knew how many new collectors get their first taste of the magical world of toy soldiers at 200 Steinwehr Ave.

 

[nysoldiers]

Attending George Washington University (DC) in the mid and late sixties I visited many ACW battlefields for a little diversion from studying, politics and partying.
Bull Run/Manassas, Antietam, Fredicksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg were all within driving distance or a one night stay at a cheap bed and breakfast.
Visiting in March or April prooved to be a great time for good weather and sparse crowds.
I remember, in particular, on my visit to Gettysburg that there were hardly any tourists and you could walk almost anywhere on the battlefield. Park rangers were friendly and impromptu in being your guide or just enganging in conversation. There were souvenier shops and some great antique stores where weapons and ammo were very reasonably priced. I bought a Springfield Model 1855 percussion rifle musket for $200 and a Model 1861 percussion rifle musket for $150. Sadly, I sold them both to help pay for my education at about $400 each.
Today they would be worth $5000 to $10,000 at least.

I am so happy that the battlefields are being preserved properly.

 

[Warrior]

I love going to Gettysburg and am thrilled with all the changes that have been made in recent years to restore the battlefield back to it's 1863 appearance.

I was 12 when I visited the area for the first time, I remember buying Airfix 1/72nd scale sets and K & L metal 20mm figures at Gilberts Hobby Shop, it was a few doors down from the Wax Museum on the opposite side of the street.

I spent most of my dough and missed out on some prepainted 20mm "Confederals" at the Wax Museum gift shop, but managed to get a bunch of them years later.

I went back again in my early 30's when I got back into the hobby and have been back at least once a year every year since. On one of my trips, I found some great prepainted 25mm ACW figures from a company called Dixon once again in The Wax Museum gift shop (What a great place that is), I still have them and they look great with my 20mm ACW figures.

I'll be back there again the weekend of April 28th for the annual Gettysburg Toy Soldier Show..............

 

[Scott]

I'll miss Chuck Caldwell's one of a kind sculptures...

 

[swalterh]

Attending George Washington University (DC) in the mid and late sixties I visited many ACW battlefields for a little diversion from studying, politics and partying.
Bull Run/Manassas, Antietam, Fredicksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg were all within driving distance or a one night stay at a cheap bed and breakfast.
Visiting in March or April prooved to be a great time for good weather and sparse crowds.
I remember, in particular, on my visit to Gettysburg that there were hardly any tourists and you could walk almost anywhere on the battlefield. Park rangers were friendly and impromptu in being your guide or just enganging in conversation. There were souvenier shops and some great antique stores where weapons and ammo were very reasonably priced. I bought a Springfield Model 1855 percussion rifle musket for $200 and a Model 1861 percussion rifle musket for $150. Sadly, I sold them both to help pay for my education at about $400 each.
Today they would be worth $5000 to $10,000 at least.

I am so happy that the battlefields are being preserved properly.

Sounds similar to my college experience when I was attending Shippensburg University. I would head over to the Gettysburg Battlefield almost every weekend. I would swing down to Antietam every once in a while for a change in scenery.

The massive restoration effort was just beginning when I finished my tenure at the University. I went back a few years ago and I have to say that they have done a remarkable job.