Pennsylvania Hall, Gettysburg College, north side. The arichitectural style is “country style” Greek Revival. This view was taken from the north facing south at approximately 4:30 PM on Friday, April 11, 2008.
Friday afternoon was warm, but cloudy, with rain expected this evening. The Star and Banner visited the most visible building on the Gettysburg College campus, Pennsylvania Hall. Pennsylvania College, now Gettysburg College was founded in 1832 to better prepare individuals attending the Lutheran Theological Seminary. Congressman Thaddeus Stevens gave the land for the college.
Gettysburg College is the oldest Lutheran college in the United States. Damage to the exterior of the building during the battle was minimal, but the interior was left in ruins. This view was taken from the west facing east at approximately 4:30 PM on Friday, April 11, 2008.
Pennsylvania Hall, or Old Dorm, as it is known, was built in 1837. It was used as a field hospital for both sides during the Battle of Gettysburg. This view was taken from the southwest facing northeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Friday, April 11, 2008.
By Congressional decree, a reproduction flag representing the flag in 1863 flies over the cupola. On July 1, 1863, classes began at 8:00 AM, as usual, but after the fighting began west of town. As the sounds of battle moved closer and closer, Professor Michael Jacobs finally told his class, “We will close now, and see what is going on, for you know nothing about the lesson anyhow.” View from the south looking north at approximately 4:30 PM on Friday, April 11, 2008.
Plaque on the south side of Pennsylvania Hall. This view was taken from the south facing north at approximately 4:30 PM on Friday, April 11, 2008.
Some sources also have the Confederates using the cupola as a signal station during their occupation of Gettysburg. As the building became a field hospital, many students moved their possessions into the President’s office, where they were guarded. Those who did not remove their possessions, but locked their doors thinking they would be safe, were disappointed to find them missing on their return. This view was taken from the southeast facing northwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Friday, April 11, 2008.
Pennsylvania College became Gettysburg College in 1921. View from the east looking west at approximately 4:30 PM on Friday, April 11, 2008.