Seminary Ridge is where the Battle of Gettysburg began- not with a whisper, but with cannon fire. This peaceful path through town, fields, and seminary grounds was briefly a front line. Soldiers scrambled for position. Civilians peeked out through curtains. And a school meant for quiet study transformed into a war hospital overnight.
Today, Seminary Ridge is part battlefield, part time capsule. As you walk, you’ll trace the steps of generals sending desperate orders, townsfolk clutching newspapers with shaking hands, and a few unlikely heroes who refused to stay silent while war knocked on their door.
The self-guided GPS audio tour provides complete freedom to experience it all. Your phone becomes the storyteller, guiding you stop by stop with immersive narration triggered by your exact location: no signal, no schedule, and no need to scroll. Just walk and listen.
Step into the seminary center and meet the students who once looked out these same windows. Pass the house of Samuel Schmucker, a reformer who stood alone in his beliefs.
Feel the tension in the streets as headlines scream about Lee’s advance. Hear the cannon’s first thunder from McPherson’s Ridge. Then walk alongside the wounded as the seminary becomes a chaotic Union hospital. Meet John Burns, the elderly civilian who grabbed a musket and joined the fight. Peek into the minds of Generals Buford and Ewell as they calculate the cost of every move.
Heads up: You may leave quoting generals, defending flanking strategies, or wondering if you, too, would’ve grabbed a musket. We support your inner John Burns.
The Gettysburg National Military Park remains open. You’ll be able to use our self-guide audio tour to explore Gettysburg as usual.
Construction notice:
Little Round Top is now open.
Little Round Top is open to visitors again. For more, click here. This historic site was key to the Battle of Gettysburg. Visit to learn about its strategic role, the brave soldiers who fought there and shaped the history. Our tour offers detailed narrations for a rich, in-person experience.
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Know Before You Go
Note: The following programming and sites are currently not operational:
- All National Park Service programming is cancelled throughout the shutdown.
- The house at Eisenhower National Historic Site is closed during this time, but the grounds remain open.
- The David Wills House is already on a temporary closure for maintenance reasons.
Nearby Tours
Walking
54
3 -4 Hours
Driving
60+
1 - 2 Hours
Driving
30+
1 - 2 Hours
Walking
11
0.5 - 1 Hours
Walking
21
1 - 2 Hours
Seminary Ridge Gettysburg Map
Where To Start?
Starting Point Address: 111 Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg, PA
(The tour starts at the entrance of the parking lot opposite Schmucker Hall, with the Hall directly in front of you. Please note, this is a suggested starting point. We are not affiliated with any of the buildings on Seminary Ridge, including Schmucker Hall and the surrounding structures, so the staff at these buildings will not have information about this tour.)
How Does It Work?
- Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
- Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If multiple versions or entry points are available for your tour, be sure to download all the audio guides.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to the car stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux, and bring headphones on walking tours. CarPlay and Android Auto are currently not supported; we’re working toward a solution with Apple.
- To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
- The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
- Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
Audio Story Highlights
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Welcome
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The Seminary Comes to Gettysburg
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Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center
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Life as a Seminary Student
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Valentine Hall & Iroquois Confederacy
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Samuel Simon Schmucker : Leader of American Lutherans
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Schmucker House
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Daniel Alexander Payne
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Crisis Comes to Seminary's Backdoor
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Union Defense
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The Cupola & The Impromptu Hospital
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The Battle of McPherson's Ridge
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The Confederate Assault
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Generals of Seminary Ridge
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Elsie Singmaster and John L. Burns
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Confederate Prisoners of War
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Civilians of Seminary Ridge
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Gauntlet of Retreat & Aftermath
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Conclusion
Preview The Tour
Tour FAQs
On July 1, 1863, Seminary Ridge was the site of Battle of Gettysburg as well as a Pitzer Woods engagement on July 2.
Seminary Ridge was a Battle of Gettysburg site in July 1863.
On July 1, 1863, the seminary on a ridge northwest of Gettysburg was the centre of the critical Battle of Gettysburg. The seminary was named after the now-iconic Seminary Ridge, where the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia formed its line of battle for the later actions on the second and third days of the battle.
The Gettysburg Seminary served the church as a pioneer in theological education, establishing among Lutheran seminaries the first faculty position in Christian Education in 1926, the first teacher in sociology and psychology in 1942, and the first in stewardship in 1989.
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Inclusions and Exclusions
App on your phone: A link to download the Action Tour Guide App and Password for your tours.
Easy to use: Stories play automatically via GPS, hands‑free. Assistance available all day via call, chat, or email.
Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Tours are valid forever.
Interactive audio stories: Experience local history and culture through clear, concise narratives from experienced narrators.
At your own pace: No group. Take breaks for photos, snacks, hikes. Go at your own pace.
Offline use: No cell signal or wifi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
Don’t miss a thing: Enjoy a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated videos, text guides, and hidden gems.
Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks.
Entry tickets or reservations for any attractions along the route.
Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station.
