Eternal Light Peace Memorial — Attraction in Cumberland Township

Part of North Confederate Avenue, the Eternal Light Peace Memorial is something of the crowning structure of the northern side of the Gettysburg National Military Park, being bested perhaps only by the memorial marking the estimated location of the Gettysburg Address.

Dedicated in 1938 by President Roosevelt, in the company of one Confederate and one Union veteran, the memorial commemorates the end of the Civil War. The structure itself, standing at 47ft, cuts a sharp silhouette against the background of the sparse battlefield: a granite and limestone monolith against the sea of green and memorial stonework.

Even though the memorial provides an impressive experience in isolation from the monuments throughout the park, it is best experienced toward the end of the tour to allow the narrative of the war to build and complete with the monument of peace.

One of the most impressive aspects of the memorial is the flame that burns continuously. Until 1979, the flame was gas-lit, but even with the electric-powered flame, the symbolism remains poignant. Standing at this site, the wind blowing gently in the background, the flame burning endlessly, the memorial completes its function, causing inner emotions to rise to the surface in quiet contemplation.

Of all the sites at the Gettysburg National Military Park, the Eternal Light Peace Memorial is one of the most affecting, and is an...

We always enjoy exploring this area, often at dusk, when you can see the light better. Because the Narl Park Service did such a great job making the hill look like it did during the battle, you can see the Peace Light all the way from Benner Hill East of town (you can also see the Seminary and town from there). The light can be seen even when you travel a fee miles North of Gettysburg. I still need to figure out what the farthest South and West you can see the light from. The Peace Light is located on the right flank of the USA/the left flank of the CSA with a great approach for pictures and a small tower nearby that can also be used for decent observation of the town and almost all of Day 1's battle action. If you come to Gettysburg, this is part of Day 1 of 3 of the Battle of Gettysburg, so you must...

Favorite visiting site of President John F Kennedy and his wife. I always hear when I go to Gettysburg. It was the site of the first day of fighting on July 1st 1863. It's kind of a higher ground and it makes one Wonder why the Confederates didn't entrenched in this part of the battlefield and let the Union Army attacked them on the heights their. Instead they let the Union forces in trench on Cemetery Hill and the Confederates attacked them the next day July 2nd and July 3rd and met with failure. In my opinion had the Confederates entrenched on top of the heights where the Eternal peace Memorial is perhaps the battle might have had a...