Larry Redding introduced our speaker Daniel Vermilya (pictured above- from our Zoom meeting), Civil War historian at Gettysburg National Military Park and Education Technician at the Eisenhower National Historic Site. Daniel entitled his program, “Ike in Gettysburg”.
Dwight David Eisenhower (Ike as he is known) was born in Texas and grew up in Kansas. It was while he was a student at West Point that he first visited Gettysburg. In May of 1915, his class came here to study the battlefield. It is interesting to note that 59 of the 164 members of his West Point class achieved the rank of General. Editor's note: It was also interesting to note that the West Point cadets defeated the Gettysburg College team in a baseball game with future General Omar Bradley as the winning pitcher.
In 1916, Ike married Mamie Doud. In 1918, as an Army Captain, he came to Camp Colt, a training facility in the heart of the battlefield. He would have rather been assigned to duty in the war than be at Camp Colt. Camp Colt was the first post to train solders to use tanks during World War I. His post became a big moment in his career. While in Gettysburg, he gained administrative and organizational skills that positioned him well for his successful military career and he and Mamie fell in love with Gettysburg area.
When he retired from military service, he wanted to be a farmer. In 1950, Ike and Mamie purchased the 189-acre Redding Farm for $44,000. He raised prize black Angus cattle and enjoyed overseeing his farm operation. The Eisenhower Farm was considered their true home. After being elected the 34th President of the United States, the farm was a place to relax when they could get away from the White House.
Daniel gave us a virtual tour of the Eisenhower home. Their home on the farm was a place to entertain as well as relax. Notable guests were Nikita Khrushchev, Winston Churchill, and Charles de Gaulle.
Visit the Eisenhower National Historical Site during the pandemic. The grounds of the Eisenhower National Historical Site are open. The Eisenhower home and Reception Center remain closed. Visitors may drive directly to the farm (parking available). Park Rangers will provide informal interpretative services. The site is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Public restrooms located in the Bank Barn and Show Barn, will be open Friday to Sunday. A temporary restroom will be available on the east end of the temporary parking lot.
Ike and Mamie in the front of their Gettysburg home.
Ike in a parade in the square in Gettysburg, with the Wills House in the background.
