Civil War Medicine
The Civil War cut short approximately 700,000 lives and left thousands more with debilitating injuries. Drawing from real stories of the Seminary Hospital, these lessons explore the experiences of surgeons, nurses, and nearly 700 wounded United States (Union) and Confederate soldiers as they faced mass casualty situations. In the crucible of the war, American doctors uncovered new knowledge about the human body and built frameworks of care that are still used today. Lessons in this area examine the construction of scientific knowledge during the Civil War and assess the true human costs of conflict.
Virtual Interactive Lessons
Google Slides and PDF Lesson Plans
Civil War Emergency Care
Discover how the American Civil War ushered in a new era of battlefield medicine. Far from being the “medical Middle Ages,” the conflict revolutionized forward care for wounded soldiers, ambulance transportation, and triage.
Stay tuned! We are currently updating our Virtual Interactive Lessons for summer and fall 2023.
Virtual Museum Experiences
ThingLink walkthroughs of Museum exhibits
Steeped in Sorrow and Death (1 of 2) - Civil War Medical Care
Stand within the oldest building on the Lutheran Seminary campus in Gettysburg, which served as one of the battle’s largest and longest serving hospitals, and discover the origins of Civil War medicine.
Steeped in Sorrow and Death (2 of 2) - Civil War Casualties
Stand within the Seminary Hospital and discover the stories of those who were wounded and killed at the Battle of Gettysburg, including the nature of their injuries and where they went for treatment.
The Wounded
Stand within the Seminary Hospital and discover the stories of its first patients, offering a glimpse into first aid, triage, and the early stages of medical care on a Civil War battlefield.
The Surgeons
Stand within the Seminary Hospital and discover the stories of surgeons, patients, and military medical facilities where amputations changed men’s limbs and lives.
The Nurses
Stand within the Seminary Hospital and discover the stories of nurses and aid societies as they cared for wounded soldiers during and after the Battle of Gettysburg.
The Survivors
Stand within the Seminary Hospital and discover the stories of its survivors, including George F. McFarland, a Pennsylvania lieutenant colonel who was the final patient to leave.
Corroborating Primary Sources
ThingLink explorations of firsthand historical accounts
