Construction Begins on Gettysburg Welcome Center

The new facility aims to provide a central location for event and tourism information, as well as public restrooms.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Main Street Gettysburg has announced that construction is starting this month on the new Gettysburg Welcome Center. The $1.5 million facility will serve as a central hub for visitors, offering event and tourism information as well as ADA-compliant public restrooms. The property was donated in 2017 and the previous building on the site was demolished in 2025. The goal is to have the welcome center completed by August 2026 in time for America 250 celebrations.

Why it matters

The new Gettysburg Welcome Center is expected to be a valuable resource for the thousands of visitors who come to the historic town each year. By providing a central location for information and amenities, the facility aims to enhance the visitor experience and support the local tourism industry.

The details

The welcome center will be located at 340 Baltimore Street, less than half a mile from the Lincoln Train Station and in between the Gettysburg Tour Center and the Baltimore Street-Lincoln Square intersection. Main Street Gettysburg and Destination Gettysburg will staff the center, along with volunteers. The total $1.5 million cost is being covered by grants and donations, and Main Street Gettysburg is also working to raise $1 million for an endowment to help sustain the facility long-term.

  • Construction on the Gettysburg Welcome Center begins this month (March 2026).
  • The previous building on the site was demolished in June 2025.
  • The original goal was to complete construction by July 2026 in time for America 250 celebrations, but delays have pushed the scheduled completion to August 2026.

The players

Main Street Gettysburg

The nonprofit organization leading the development and operation of the new Gettysburg Welcome Center.

Jill Sellers

The president and CEO of Main Street Gettysburg.

Destination Gettysburg

The tourism promotion agency that will help staff the welcome center.

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What they’re saying

“We went through a rigorous screening process to be able to put this welcome center here, and the building that was taken down was a post-Civil War building. We didn't find any historical significance as we worked through the Pennsylvania Historical Society, as well as our local historical organizations, and all that was here during the Battle of Gettysburg was a tannery, so we will be adding a Wayside Marker that will explain the history of that business that was here and the family that ran it.”

— Jill Sellers, President and CEO, Main Street Gettysburg (abc27.com)

“The next step for Main Street Gettysburg is to ensure its endowment so that we can run it. My plan that we have had in place is we're looking to raise $1 million for that endowment. We are $300,000 there, so contributions, we certainly encourage and welcome.”

— Jill Sellers, President and CEO, Main Street Gettysburg (abc27.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The new Gettysburg Welcome Center represents an important investment in the town's tourism infrastructure, providing visitors with a centralized hub for information and amenities. By securing funding for an endowment, Main Street Gettysburg aims to ensure the facility's long-term sustainability and continued support for the local economy.