Gettysburg National Military Park and a host of other national parks, with Civil War ties, are engaging kids with trading cards that depict the pictures and stories of the Civil War.  “It was an idea that came from our northeast regional office to try to engage younger visitors in the national parks, and find a way to reward them for going out on programs with rangers,” says Gettysburg National Military Park spokesperson Katie Lawhon.

Gettysburg National Military Park has eight trading cards that are specific to it.  “We have the George Meade and Robert E. Lee cards, as you might expect, the two commanders of the Union and Confederate armies here.  But, we have a couple of places out on the battlefield that have cards as well,” Lawhon tells us.  Other Gettysburg cards include the 9^th Massachusetts Battery and the Gettysburg Address.  “Just like the old baseball cards, where you can learn a little bit about the player, these cards tell you a little bit about the story.” 

Pictured are the Five Civil War Trading Cards Being Offered at Lowell National Historical Park, in Lowell, MA

At least 23 National Park Service sites are participating with at least 189 cards.  Lawhon even tells us that if you show one park’s cards at another participating park, you can receive a commemorative backpack.  It’s all a part of the National Park Service’s Civil War 150 commemoration (Pennsylvania is also marking the sesquicentennial).  Lawhon says it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to engage new, younger audiences. 

The first shots of the Civil War were fired at Ft. Sumter, April 12^th, 1861.  The 150^th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg will be in 2013.