Teacher Symposium Q&A about Travel, Accommodations, Events, Registration Deadlines, and More

Our education team held this live discussion and Q&A open house on March 28 about the 2023 Gilder Lehrman Teacher Symposium, to be held at Gettysburg College.

Professor David Blight (Yale University) will lead The Life and Writings of Frederick Douglass at the 2023 Gilder Lehrman Teacher Symposium.Questions from the open house and additional questions are answered below:

Questions relating to courses and registration

Q: What days will the Symposium take place?

A: Sunday, July 16 through Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Q: Where can I find the full list of scholars and courses for the Symposium?

A: Please find all scholars and courses here.

Q: When is the final deadline for registration?

A: June 16 is the registration deadline. Individual courses may fill and reach maximum capacity before that.

Q: When will we have access to reading resources for the courses?

A: Scholars will have readings posted fully within the next two weeks for registered teachers. All readings are recommended but not required for the courses. They will be referenced by the scholars.

Q: How many teachers can enroll in each course?

A: Each course has a capacity of 40–50 teachers.

Q: When will the next round of scholarships receive notification?

A: May 15 will be notification date for the next round of scholarships.

Q: Are scholarships still available?

A: The last deadline for scholarship applications is in mid-May. Please fill out this form to apply.

Questions relating to travel and accommodations

View of Gettysburg College and surrounding areaQ: How do you get to Gettysburg College?

A: There are several options for traveling to and from Gettysburg College. The closest and most convenient airports are Harrisburg International Airport (a 45-minute drive) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (a 75-minute drive). Participants may also travel by train; the Harrisburg Amtrak Station is 45 minutes from campus.

Q: Is parking available?

A: Parking is available at Gettysburg College for no fee. We encourage you to drive to campus if it is possible.

Q: How do you get from the airport to Gettysburg?

A: Gettysburg College offers shuttles from nearby airports and train stations for a small fee. Please see this link for information about and instructions on booking a shuttle through Gettysburg College. You are responsible for making your own shuttle arrangements between transportation hubs and Gettysburg College for the Teacher Symposium. If you have any questions about the shuttle, please call the Gettysburg College Transportation Department directly at 717-337-6700. Shuttle reservations must be made at least 2 weeks in advance.

Q: What are the dorms like?

A: The dorms are college dorms, but they are the newer dorms on campus. They are apartment-style suites that house 4-6 people. Each participant will have a single-occupancy bedroom with a shared living room, kitchen, and bathroom. They are air-conditioned. Each room comes with a set of sheets and blanket, a pillow, and a set of towels. Participants may bring their own bedding if desired. Beds are extra-long twin beds.

Q: How do I make special requests, including for single rooms on campus or share a room with a guest on campus?

A: Reach out to seminars@gilderlehrman.org as soon as possible once registered. Please note that we have a limited number of private motel-style rooms or double rooms (extra fee for guests) and we will prioritize participants who request these rooms due to medical and disability considerations.

Q: Are meals included?

A: If you opt-in to room and board as well as registration, meals will be included.

Q: Can I sign up for meals if I do not choose to stay on campus?

A: Yes, you can purchase a meal plan even if you do not include room and board with your registration. We will have more information about that option closer to the date of the Symposium. If you know you want this option, please reach out to seminars@gilderlehrman.org. Please note: Meal plans must be purchased in advance of the Symposium.

The historic Gettysburg Battlefield tour is part of the Teacher Symposium package.

Questions relating to events on campus and surroundings:

Q: May friends and family attend and what events may they attend?

A: Only registered participants may attend courses, but a guest may attend special events, such as book talks, the Gettysburg Battlefield tour, and the opening dinner. Gettysburg College charges a small fee for extra guests. Guest meal passes may also be purchased. Please reach out to seminars@gilderlehrman.org as soon as possible to arrange guest attendees.

Q: How far is campus from downtown?

A: Town is a fifteen-minute walk on flat sidewalks for all the amenities of a small town, including ice cream.