Invited to make a few remarks at the dedication of the Soldiers National Cemetery, President Lincoln traveled to Gettysburg on Nov. 18, 1863. Although he spent less than 24 hours in Gettysburg, this turned out to be one of the most important trips he would make. In that short time he gave his historic speech, the Gettysburg Address, consisting of fewer than 280 words and delivered in a little over 2 minutes.

This full-day program with Civil War historian Ed Bearss lets you walk in the footsteps of the Great Emancipator during his hours in Gettysburg.

Lincoln was a busy man that day. The newly opened Gettysburg Military Park Museum and Visitors Center describes Lincoln’s visit to Gettysburg and his immortal address. Of the 12 galleries in the new museum, 11 are based on phrases from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and organized to help visitors understand the museum’s themes. The restored David Wills house, scheduled to open Feb. 12, is where he spent the night of Nov. 18, 1863, and edited his speech. In addition to the sights of Gettysburg, the tour visits the restored railroad depot where he boarded the train. Before day’s end, sit in Gettysburg Presbyterian Church—where on the afternoon of Nov. 19, Lincoln talked briefly with John Burns, a local Civil War hero—and stand in Evergreen Cemetery (right next to National Cemetery), where he addressed the crowd.

Lunch is included at the Farnsworth House Inn, parts of which date to before the Civil War.

CODE: 1ND-029

8 a.m. to 7 p.m. by bus from the southeast corner of the Air and Space Museum, 4th St. & Independence Ave., S.W., with a stop at the Urbana carpool lot, I-270 and Rte. 80, at about 8:50 a.m.