The famous cyclorama painting at Gettysburg will reopen for public viewing on Sept. 26.
The unveiling of the cyclorama comes a few months after the April opening of a new museum and visitor center at Gettysburg National Military Park April 14.
The massive 1884 oil painting was designed to place viewers in the middle of the climactic battle by offering a 360-degree view, painted in 14 sections. It depicts Pickett's Charge, the dramatic Union Army stand against Confederate troops on July 3, 1863.
Events for the weekend of the opening include a display of one of five manuscripts of the Gettysburg address in Lincoln's handwriting; a $100-per-person "Party Like It's 1863" event (period costumes welcome), and a ceremony attended by government officials with a performance from "Beyond Glory," a Broadway play that tells the stories of Congressional Medal of Honor winners.
Details are available at http://www.gettysburgfoundation.org. National park information is available at http://www.nps.gov/gett.
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Copyright 2008 AP Features
