WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP – History came alive this weekend at Monterey Pass Battlefield Park & Museum, where visitors experienced the inaugural display of the Monterey Pass Battlefield Diorama and joined hourlong walking tours led by resident guide John Galie.
The event, held July 19 and 20, offered guests an engaging introduction to the geography and strategies of the 1863 Battle of Monterey Pass. Local history enthusiast Steve Tanner built the detailed diorama, which mapped the deployment of Union and Confederate forces. Tanner welcomed guests from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, discussing the layout and its importance in Civil War history.
Complementing the diorama display, John Galie delivered commentary on the movements of the armies as a prelude to his widely regarded walking tours. Galie described how Confederate and Union soldiers converged on Gettysburg from the south, emphasizing General Robert E. Lee’s retreat and the challenge of moving 80 supply wagons, along with tens of thousands of soldiers and camp followers.
During the tours, Galie recounted the roles and responsibilities of officers on both sides, sharing stories that brought new depth to familiar Civil War narratives. Guests followed the same trails once traveled by retreating Confederates as the Union sought to cut off a critical wagon train.
Tours were offered Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and again on Sunday at 11 a.m., drawing visitors eager to walk in the footsteps of history and gain insight into the pivotal days following the Battle of Gettysburg.
The museum is open weekends 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the 2.5-hour drive through battlefield stops can be driven by the car with stops along the way at any time.
