Gettysburg National Military Park | PENNSYLVANIA STATE MEMORIAL

Pennsylvania State Memorial at Gettysburg National Military Park

Pennsylvania State Memorial at Gettysburg National Military Park


State Memorial Map


The Pennsylvania State Memorial is the largest monument at Gettysburg National Military Park. It was designed by architect W. Liance Cottrell. The sculptures on the monument were done by multiple artists:  Samuel Murray, J. Otto Schweizer, William Clark Noble, Lew Lawrie, and Cyrus Edwin Dallin. Construction began in 1910, and the memorial, though unfinished, was dedicated in September of that year.

In April 1913, bronze statues were added to the corners of the monument. Abraham Lincoln and Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin are on either side of the west entryway. Bronze statues of military generals who were either born in or made Pennsylvania their home adorn the other three sides of the monument: Major General John Reynolds, who was killed on the first day of fighting; Major General George Meade, who became commander of the Army of the Potomac just three days before the battle; Major General Winfield S. Hancock; Brigadier General David M. Gregg, a brigadier general at Gettysburg but later received the brevet rank of major general; Major General David Birney; and Major General Alfred Pleasonton. With the sculptures now in place, the memorial was rededicated on July 4, 1913, the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln on the Pennsylvania Memorial at Gettysburg

Bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln on the Pennsylvania Memorial at Gettysburg

On the top of the monument is a bronze sculpture of the Goddess of Victory and Peace holding a sword and a palm branch. From ground level to the top of the sword, the monument is 110 feet tall.

Sculpture of the Goddess of Victory and Peace on the Pennsylvania State Memorial at Gettysburg

Sculpture of the Goddess of Victory and Peace on the Pennsylvania State Memorial at Gettysburg

The names of every Pennsylvania soldier who fought at Gettysburg are engraved on bronze tablets that line the interior and wrap around the base of the monument. In all, more than 34,000 names are listed.

Bronze tablets on the Pennsylvania State Memorial list the names of Pennsylvania men who fought at Gettysburg

Bronze tablets on the Pennsylvania State Memorial list the names of Pennsylvania men who fought at Gettysburg

The Pennsylvania State Memorial is so large that visitors can walk inside and up to an observation platform at the top for a panoramic view of the battlefield.

Pennsylvania State Memorial at Gettysburg National Military Park

Pennsylvania State Memorial at Gettysburg National Military Park

Observation deck of the Pennsylvania State Memorial at Gettysburg National Military Park

Observation deck of the Pennsylvania State Memorial at Gettysburg National Military Park

Northeast view from the top of the Pennsylvania State Memorial at Gettysburg National Military Park

Northeast view from the top of the Pennsylvania State Memorial at Gettysburg National Military Park

Late afternoon or evening are the best times to photograph the Pennsylvania State Memorial at Gettysburg National Military Park.

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Last updated on January 22, 2025
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