Posted By Gettysburgian Staff on Oct 6, 2019 | 1 comment

Community members sit at the dinner table on Baltimore Street for Main Street Gettysburg’s potluck fundraiser (Photo Alicia Method/The Gettysburgian)

By Alicia Method, Staff Writer

One hundred and fifty six years ago, Abraham Lincoln traversed the streets of Gettysburg to deliver his famed Gettysburg Address. Today, these same historic streets are being restored and revitalized through Main Street Gettysburg: an organization dedicated to “the preservation, revitalization and improvement of the Historic District of Gettysburg.” To continue funding these efforts, Main Street Gettysburg hosted The Long, Long, Long, Long Dinner Party this Friday evening on Baltimore Street from 5 to 8 p.m. 

The weekend was chosen in honor of the bureau of the Pennsylvania Municipal League Conference visiting Gettysburg. Dinner tables were lined up down the middle of Baltimore Street for four blocks, all the way to South Street. These tables were decorated with fall items such as pumpkins, orange flowers, and chocolate. Party-goers could bring their own pot-luck dinners as well as purchase meals from the many food trucks or restaurants lining the streets.

Fall decorations are strewn on one of the dinner tables at the Long, Long, Long, Long Dinner Party (Photo Alicia Method/The Gettysburgian)

The idea for the event was first pitched to Main Street Gettysburg’s Executive Board for Historic Pathway Revitalization by Wendy Allen, a local resident and businesswoman. According to Allen, the Board has been plugging away at revitalization efforts for about five years, working on projects to install new sidewalks and lighting. Although the idea was different from usual fundraising events, which include bingo, it received support to go through, and her passion and dedication was apparent in the detailed organization of the event.

“I love Gettysburg and I’m committed to this revitalization effort,” Allen said. She also noted that, for her, Baltimore Street is one of the most important streets in the world and what it stands for is “critical to who we are as a people today.”

Also present at Friday’s event was the Adams County Historical Society, which had a booth featuring pamphlets that supplied information concerning the Baltimore Street Project and Historic Pathways Brick Program. Their attendance was especially meaningful because, as Board Director Bob Scappini noted, they are “the caretakers of history.”

Main Street Gettysburg’s goal for the event was to raise $20,000 for street revitalization. According to Allen, the dinner party was completely sold out, which projects positively toward the street renovation efforts. This community event, which lined up with Gettysburg’s College’s Homecoming Weekend, fit well into the community’s busy day of celebration and remembrance.