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Monterey Pass, Pennsylvania Civil War Trails Wayside Exhibit Dedication

(5/3) As part of Mountaintop Heritage Days weekend, the One Mountain Foundation along with the Monterey Pass Battlefield Association will be commemorating the 146th anniversary of the battle of Monterey Pass at the Rolando Woods Lions Club Park on June 26, 2009. A ceremony will be held at 1:00 pm to unveil the Pennsylvania Civil War Trails wayside exhibit in addition to the battle of Monterey Pass driving and walking tours.

Since 2004, the One Mountain Foundation, chaired by Gary Muller, has worked with several tourism officials in Pennsylvania and Maryland to have Monterey Pass recognized as the second largest Civil War battle to take place in Pennsylvania and the only battle to be fought on both sides of the Mason and Dixon Line. In April 2009, this vision became a reality with the placement of the Pennsylvania Civil War Trails wayside exhibit at the battle of Monterey Pass site.

Activities will begin at 9:00 am by John A. Miller, founder and Civil War Historian of the Monterey Pass Battlefield Association, who will be on site to answer questions and talk with the public about the importance of this once forgotten Civil War battle. The Monterey Pass Battlefield Association will have many exhibits displayed as well as dressed interpreters who will explain the Civil War heritage of the mountaintop.

Mr. Miller will also conduct two tours of the original Maria Furnace Road, where parts of the battle occurred. The first tour will start after the dedication ceremony. During the tours, Mr. Miller will share first hand accounts of what the Confederate Army experienced as they withdrew from Gettysburg and marched over South Mountain at Monterey Pass. The second tour will begin at 6:00 pm to provide Civil War enthusiasts who could not attend the previous tour the opportunity to take the trek on this historical road and celebrate the area's history. For those interested in attending either tour, Mr. Miller recommends bringing bottled water, wearing comfortable shoes and clothing appropriate for walking in a wooded area. Also bring plenty of bug spray. Each tour will last approximately one hour.

Following the dedication of the wayside exhibit, the MPBA will carry the celebration into the former Fort Ritchie Army base during the Mountaintop Heritage Days that will take place on June 27th and 28th. Members of the MPBA and the OMF’s Heritage Development Committee will conduct several informal lectures as well as firing demonstrations near the pavilion by the lake. Exhibits will be displayed at the Fort Ritchie Community Center along with other artifacts of the area's past. For more information about Mountaintop Heritage Days, please visit the One Mountain Foundation website at www.onemountainfoundation.org. For more information on the battle of Monterey Pass or their event schedule for Mountaintop Heritage Days, visit their website at www.emmitsburg.net/montereypass.