A Hidden Corner of Gettysburg & a Chat with Ken Burns | History Traveler Episode 345

We're back in Gettysburg, which happens to be one of our favorite historic places in the U.S., for The Gettysburg Film Festival. We're having a chat with documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and while we're here, taking a look at a part of the Gettysburg battlefield that most people don't even know exists. Much to see and learn!
This episode was produced in partnership with The Gettysburg Museum of History. See how you can support history education & artifact preservation by visiting their website & store at www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory...
Learn more about The Gettysburg Film Festival here: gettysburgfilmfestival.org
Support the effort to expand history education on PATREON: / historyunderground
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- Little Bighorn: The Desperate Defense of Reno Hill (w/Jocko Willink) | History Traveler Episode 343: • Little Bighorn: The De...
- Little Bighorn: Prelude to the Last Stand w/ Jocko & Leif | History Traveler Episode 341: • Little Bighorn: Prelud...
- A German Village DESTROYED By Artillery Fire in WWII (with a WWII Vet!!!)| History Traveler Ep. 338: • A German Village DESTR...
- Heroes of the Ardennes American Cemetery | History Traveler Episode 337: • Heroes of the Ardennes...
All drone shots conducted by a Part 107 licensed drone pilot.
Photos courtesy of the Adams County Historical Society and the GNMP.

[@kdfox2007]

Ken Burns is exactly correct about the value of history. We are having an existential threat to democracy because too many of our citizens don’t have a clue about why we are the way we are.

[@your_royal_highness]

And, they do not care to learn. Not to mention history itself is not being taught in schools. Or what is taught is shallow and whitewashed.

[@johns8771]

Ken Burns, in addition to making great documentaries, also has an amazing collection of hand sewn quilts.

[@InnocentPotato-pd7wi]

Retired , here! 37 years teaching Special Education! When I visit Gettysburg , I make a bee line for Little Round Top! Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, a former teacher and college professor was running low on supplies . Every teacher can definitely relate to that problem! He ordered his brave men of the 20th Maine to "Fix Bayonets!" He then led that charge down that famous hill! They captured many Confederates from Texas and Alabama! 😊😊😊🇺🇲🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@tinlizzie]

Yes, Ken is so correct. If you don't know your history, you don't know yourself or your future! I love it.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Absolutely!!

[@J.O.J.61]

💯👍🇵🇹🇺🇲

[@thomasdragosr.841]

...and we are letting an ignorant group of people destroy our history every day.

[@JamesClark-lw6sw]

​@@thomasdragosr.841 PEOPLE LIKE BURNS HIMSELF.

[@gordonhuskin7337]

@@thomasdragosr.841 and ken burns loves them! he shares their marxist ideology!

[@edking3427]

Excellent video. I only recently learned that my Great Great Grandfather was in the 154th NY and was captured at this battle. He survived CSA prison camps, was paroled and fought across Georgia with Sherman's army. It adds perspective to the battle and his capture.

[@jeffdavis9687]

My great Great Grandfather was in the 154th also. They have a reunion every year and is great to attend..

[@FordMustangry-wu7mh]

I remember watching Ken Burns The Civil War, on PBS when I was a kid, and it helped cement my passion for the Civil War, listening to Shelby Foote was to me like listening around a camp fire to your grandfather's stories. Ken Burns brought attention back to the Civil War, people watched and wanted to know more, to see those actual places that so many on both sides gave thier lives for the ideas, beliefs, and feelings of the day. Again, job well done, you have hit your stride with these videos, and if you keep enjoying doing them, I and many others will enjoy watching them.

[@elizabethmckenna5397]

Gosh I just love your channel. I’ve visited Gettysburg a few dozen times. It’s about 4 hours or so away and I’ve driven there just to spend a day. This episode was great! So glad to see Ken Burns.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Appreciate that.

[@user-yh8ee2ep4u]

Love going to Gettysburg my favorite place

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Heck of a place.

[@dawndickson2156]

Ken Burns has such a way with words. His documentaries are captivating. How can one watch and not dive head first into history. And for anyone who has never been to Gettysburg GO! So much to take in. I live in PA. It is my favorite place to go.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Agreed.

[@InnocentPotato-pd7wi]

Check out Antietam battlefield / Sharpsburg, MD. It is not too far FROM Gettysburg/ in Sharpsburg, MD! September 17,1862! 23,000 died in a single day! The bloodiest single day battle of the Civil War!

[@miniaturefarmer464]

GW wanted to get back to his farm. He was a farmer at heart. Agriculture made this country.

[@Tld0026]

I’m American and visited just about everything there is to see in the US except Gettysburg. I grew up on the grounds of the battle of stones river and visited with my elementary school every year and that got me interested in the civil war. I’m putting Gettysburg on my to do list and getting there asap.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Amazing place!

[@jaeves007]

Please go! I visit annually, I have fallen in love with the town. Come back when you decide to go if you need any advice!

[@nanabutner]

What ever you do, be sure to go to LITTLE ROUND TOP at twilight! You know if you turn your head in either direction you will see many ghosts of the military men/women and you can feel the cannons and gunfire! It is very strange! Also dawn gives the same effects. My father who was so practical that he wasn’t phased if rain stopped in the middle of the street was effected by Gettysburg.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

@@nanabutner - I’ve been at Little Round Top at every hour of the day on multiple occasions. Many times by myself. No ghosts.

[@nanabutner]

@@TheHistoryUnderground I am sorry but I know what I felt! There are ghosts there!

[@jeffe9842]

Ken Burns' series on the Civil War was the first of several of his series that I watched. I had never seen anything done in the style of presentation that he used and, I was so intrigued, that, being in grad school at the time, I arranged my schedule so that I would have time free for each episode.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Nice.

[@dbach1025]

I can not believe I get to watch Ken Burns meet JD. Burns is a lucky man. :) Great interview, JD. Burns is easily a national treasure. Thank you for sharing.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha! Thanks.

[@RealBanz]

Hey JD! I’m visiting Gettysburg from Texas this week. We visited Erik Dorr’s museum today and it was amazing. Great video as always. I really enjoy all your content.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Awesome! So glad that you enjoyed it.

[@jeffdavis9687]

my Great Great Grandfather, Dana P. Horton, was a captain in the 154th NY Volunteers and was wounded in this battle. I have been there many times. This is a wonderful video. Thank you so much for this.

[@jomcginnis6703]

Gettysburg was on my bucket list and was so glad to check it off. What an amazing experience. So beautiful and the history is overwhelming.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Love that place.

[@jimplummer4879]

History and Civics were my favorite subjects in school and still are.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@jleechadwick]

I can't wait to see his series on the American Revoution, having had several 4 times great grandfathers who fought in it (no tories as far as I know). Dad gave me his love of history. I remember one of the first places we went after we moved to Virginia while Dad was stationed at the Pentagon--we went to the battle field at Manassas. I have to admit, when you live in the Washington DC area, you get the best field trips. I love a lot of different things, but history is my favorite subject to study.

[@gordonhuskin7337]

Don't get your hopes up, Burns is a rabid communist

[@craigcolandro2781]

@jleechadwick What you're going to get is a steady diet of Washington, Jefferson, etc... bad guys who owned slaves, some mistakes(Burns tends to make them in most of his Documentaries) and a little bit of actual history thrown in for good measure.

[@melissakhalar1842]

I love listening to and learning from intelligent well educated people that share their knowledge and wisdom. Thank You Mr. Ken Burns. ❤

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@johnstup4479]

Enjoyed listening to Tim Smith and Ken Burns. Thanks JD for bringing the words of these two men and history into our homes.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@yvetteosuna42]

Ken Burns 🔥 he really does kill it 💪 his docs are the Best!!

[@EGSBiographies-om1wb]

Im about to watch *Baseball;A Ken Burns Film* for the first time.

[@JazznRealHipHop]

The world will have a true loss when Ken goes to explore the un-documentable other side. Legendary. Thank you Tim Smith, History Underground and all those who seek to teach and enliven the past ❤

[@tanker335]

We had a true loss when he kept quite when statues were being torn down. He should have been leading the charge to stop this nonsense.

[@dg7708]

​@tanker335 he is a huge lib, what did you expect?

[@JazznRealHipHop]

@@tanker335 I assume he realizes monuments, especially ones erected during Jim Crow of southern criminals, are not the main way or only way we remember history. And how many of those statues were destroyed? Some yes but many were just moved.

[@marcg.3830]

@@JazznRealHipHopmany many statutes were destroyed especially here in Richmond, VA, all because of the lie that was told in 2020 about a fentanyl addict.

[@tanker335]

@@JazznRealHipHop Pardon me it I don't want a small cable of Marxist dictating who's worthy of being honored or not in the history books. And one statue destroyed by these clowns is one too many.

[@julieknowles7063]

I've loved Ken Burns documentaries. Thank you for the interview.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@stevekunde123]

I have never heard of the brickyard fight before. Thanks for sharing it with us today.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks for watching!

[@lanemeyer9350]

Meeting Ken must have have been a lifelong dream for you, that’s awesome. I LOVE this channel, kudus coming from Providence, RI! So much Civil War history here btw! Ambrose Burnside, Elisha Hunt Rhoads & Sullivan Ballou are all in one cemetery with George Sears Greene being buried 20 min away

[@aliciagutierrez2536]

Gettysburg is definitely on my bucket list of places to visit.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Heck of a place.

[@lanemeyer9350]

I just went for the first time (49 years old), it was amazing. Fly into Baltimore and it’s an easy 1:15 drive. BOOK IT!

[@wendelynanderson9517]

I grew up in Camp Hill & Lewisberry, just a stone’s throw from Gettysburg. ❤

[@user-ct3uo5xu9x]

Congratulations J.D. you got Ken Burns on your Channel. I love Ken Burns documentaries

[@michaelmclaren7373]

What a wonderful opportunity to talk to Ken Burns - one of my personal heroes and IMO one of our finest filmmakers and storytellers working today. As someone holding a degree in history who often finds himself defending the “why” of it’s importance, his closing message was immaculate. Supremely grateful for this content and equally envious JD❤.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Glad that I could share it.

[@mikecollins9321]

He’s a commie

[@davidwilhelm3431]

Tim Smith is indeed a walking encyclopedia of knowledge about Gettysburg, whether it be the town and its civilians or the battle. He's an institution.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@johnvoorhees7881]

Gettysburg is probably my favorite place that I've been to. You can feel the history. And yes it is haunted, although dude said before that it isn't. Yes it is, you can feel it. Cheers 🍻

[@DSToNe19and83]

Interviewing Ken burns… I’d say at this point you done did something! You’re top notch, “keep on keeping on” 🍻

[@swampyankee]

Tim's Monument Monday is a must see, a great, informative series.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Agreed.

[@GettysburgLentz]

Thank you for doing justice to the memory of the Brickyard Fight and all who fought there. Tim Smith is a wealth of knowledge and we as history enthusiasts are fortunate to have him. The Adams County Historical Society does a lot of great work and he is a significant contributor to that work.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! That was my first time visiting that part of the battlefield. Very fascinating history.

[@sandramosley2801]

What great work.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Many thanks!

[@AdamLDavies]

Great video. And I agree with Ken at the end there, all history, good or bad, is important to understanding where we’ve been, how we got there and in some cases, how we don’t end up there again.

[@sandrapersaud3105]

I love history, and I completely agreed with your comments.

[@user-js6xj8hj2d]

I climbed big round top this week. Little was closed. No one but my family. Nice

[@jhsams1977]

Thank you Tim and JD!

[@PJ-bv9tc]

Wow. Ken Burns is brilliant! Great job JD!

[@gordonhuskin7337]

Ken burns is a subversive leftist

[@77harris77]

Ken Burns lives in my hometown. I was involved in a book signing of his Civil War book.

[@user-oe6bp9nf1j]

Great video! I am a big fan of Ken Burns work, but also his fabulous collection of historical quilts.

[@TriciaLBarber]

I really like when you said why you started your channel. That is why I was a reenactor for many years with my teenage son. We are from Texas with only Confederate ancestors. But the crew we were with portrayed Union soldiers. Several times we got shamed for being Union in the South. But my answer was if everyone is Confederate how can we keep the history alive to teach it.

[@Chiller11]

Boy looks like I’m first Fascinating interview with Ken Burns. I was fortunate in high school to have had compelling teachers in both American History and Civics. I still use much of what I learned in civics as I try to understand the workings of government and politics in the US, Canada, and the world.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Nice.

[@markchristman1076]

Have enjoyed Ken Burns series on the Civil War, also read Bruce Catton's trilogy. History Underground is able to go more places, more in depth than bigger productions. From South Mountain, MD to Hawaii, great job JD.

[@robinburke2036]

Tim is a treasure. I think we need a monument dedicated to him ;-)

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha! I agree.

[@randolphkersey5155]

Well let's hope he is not from the south because they will destroy it.

[@stevenstone1027]

Great video! Very educational! Thank you!

[@Wreckdiver59]

I can never get enough of Gettysburg 👍 I've seen that mural, but never knew anything about it until now. I'm looking forward to seeing more about the film festival since I couldn't make it there this year.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@williamfoulk7798]

I really like your videos in Gettysburg 👏👏👏

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you like them!

[@timferryA1]

Did not know that about J.A. Williams! Thanks!

[@petermaerkel9140]

It was interesting to learn that Mr. Burns is in the process of working on a history of the Revolution. Thank you for this interesting video, J.D.!

[@jacobmasters438]

Want to wager that it's full of political nonsense? Like the Revolution was only fought to "preserve slavery." This black lives matter nonsense has infected all aspects of society. Metro cities across the United States teach children that America is a "rotten country." Sad, very sad.

[@craigcolandro2781]

@@jacobmasters438 You can bet on it being centered on Washington, Jefferson the bad guys who had slaves, etc.....Burns won't be able to help himself.

[@jkinthewind]

I was lucky enough to be on a tour with Mr. Dunkelman and he gave us a bit of a "tour" of his mural. I was happy to see that he included a portrait of Amos Humiston in the mural. After his tour i had the privelege of walking with Mr. Dunkelman through the National Cemetery and showing him Amos' marker.

[@lennytidwillow3666]

Thank you! Great information!

[@ruthgallagher1168]

Just got back from there. It is our favorite town.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Heck of a place.

[@kennethreese4659]

I loved Ken Burns documentary The War. I've watched that over and over many times.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

One of my favorites.

[@donaldhelton9308]

What a big surprise,happy to hear Ken Burns.Glad to see him on here.Thank you

[@jillthomas2547]

My dad grew up around York, PA, been there multiple times growing up, but have never been to Gettysburg. I grew up not far from Old Washington, OH where part of Morgan's Raid was. I love history

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Heck of a place!

[@TheNinjaPicker]

Im sure it was a thrill for Ken Burns to meet you.

[@jonduggan7433]

Make sure to check out the Lincoln Diner right across the street from that theater in the beginning of this clip. Really good breakfast food at reasonable prices.

[@AC_86]

Always been fascinated with the history of the US & the civil war. Thankz for posting these videos. Aaron Belfast, Northern Ireland

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you!

[@michaelayers3998]

Ken Burns’ work represents the best of America.

[@Joyfulgrace7777]

Amen FDR and Lincoln my faves!! Truth!

[@deckerbob]

What a wonderful video, I hope you enjoyed interviewing Ken Burns as much as we enjoyed watchin, Cheers JD

[@s.p.3738]

Profound statement by Ken Burns at the end. If I were a teacher I would have my students recite it. The whole paragraph. We are losing our way one generation at a time.

[@adriansantana7540]

21:16. Yes, history makes a person and the person make history.

[@vickistevens423]

Great video, as always. Tim Smith is indeed a wealth of information and I always learn something new from his video content. Outstanding interview with Ken Burns. So excited to be moving to Gettysburg this summer and am definitely looking forward to attending the Gettysburg Film Festival next year.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Awesome!

[@camdodge9891]

Hello JD great stuff awesome video thank you JD

[@wildshadowstar]

Ken Burns is the master of documentaries, like Stephen Spielberg or Martin Scorsese. Must have been a bucket list item for you to talk with him.

[@EGSBiographies-om1wb]

WOW ! Matt Beat !

[@lunchboxtheassassin]

One of my relatives served in the 154th NY in Co. H & was captured at Gettysburg. He died at Andersonville, so thank you for this

[@ProjectPast1565]

The History Underground and Gettysburg are a perfect combination! What a cool experience it must have been meeting Mr Burns.

[@justinweaver8107]

I dont comment on every vid but watch em none the less have a good weekend sir

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you! That all helps.

[@dushanepowell3782]

Thank you for a great video.

[@luskimo1]

to be able to talk to an American Legend is amazing....can't wait for his Revolution film...this makes your channel all the more

[@DSToNe19and83]

My favorite ken films are baseball and the national parks.

[@jaycoldren4284]

I watch a lot of your videos and I enjoy them very much. But this particular one is my new favorite. The story of Coster Ave with Tim Smith! The interview with Ken Burns! Loved your questions and his thoughtful answers. Thank you JD!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoy it! Thanks!

[@johnlarue2248]

Outstanding job on this! Going to have to try the film festival next year.

[@markbeames7852]

Shout out to CMSgt James Clouse, USAF (ret) now the Gettysburg National Battlefield Monument chief librarian.

[@dbicht]

Fantastic video. How wonderful to talk with Ken Burns. It is a must if traveling to Gettysburg to see the Adams County Historical Society. I was there last year and it was so informative. The exhibit Beyond the Battle lets you get an idea of what it is like to be living there during the battle. My GGreat Grandfather, Sgt Thomas Lunard Morgan, was with the PA 151st. His unit was known as the "Teachers Regiment". They were some of the first soldiers to encounter the Southern forces.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@robyncooperramsey8323]

Outstanding video!

[@bills6963]

Been there. Pretty cool. There’s a good video on KZbin telling the detailed story of the painting.

[@topthrilldragster20]

I was just in Gettysburg and i made a side trip to Antietam the next day. Wife wants to go back to Gettysburg

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Heck of a place. Plan on staying at least 3 days.

[@davesexton5178]

Absolutely love your videos! Especially the Civil War episodes. My Great Great Grandfather immigrated from Germany and almost immediately enlisted in the 30th Ohio Company A. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his Gallantry at the Siege of Vicksburg (Forlorn Hope). 1st Sergeant Andrew Schmauch. Keep them coming.

[@tiffanyannhowe1712]

Oh my word that mural is outstanding.

[@kathywinter7793]

We do not live far from Gettysburg. We will check this out. Grandsons will love it.

[@Jerry-fn5nx]

That was really cool, the interview with Ken Burns. Can't wait until his new documentary about the revolution comes out. Also, love the forgotten spots and monuments at Gettysburg. Sad they can't be preserved any more than they can be

[@larryburwell8550]

great video and great history as always. when i comes to the civil war, Ken Burns is the Man!!!! bar none

[@drewguild3879]

My Great Great Grandfather Sgt. Charles Guild NY154th was captured at that spot or very near there. This was a great homage to his efforts. Thank you History Underground. And, I'll certainly look up Tim Smith at the Museum. We visit Coster Avenue and the monument every time we can. Also the NY121st at LRT.

[@NatalieD1255]

This was excellent! I have loved Ken Burns Documentaries for decades. He is an American treasure

[@pauldouglas3084]

Really enjoyed the video mate can't wait for the next one

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@laurasmithson3922]

Thank you for this channel....from a middle school History teacher. 😊

[@swampyankee]

Wonderfully thought out questions for Ken Burns, excellent JD!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

Two companies of men from here in Stokes County, N.C. served in the 21st North Carolina Infantry as companies F and G. They along with the rest of the 21st took part in the fight at Kuhn's brickyard.

[@irishpride1186]

Got some new civil war content! Love it! Keep the civil war content coming! Thanks man!!!❤😊

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙂👍🏻

[@bobcalderon2534]

A great video. Enjoyed the history of the Civil War, thanks

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@mhgreen]

This is fantastic, thank you! Having grown up in Gettysburg, and more specifically, right around the corner from there, on Barlow St., I had no idea this was a thing. I hate to say this, but as kids in the early 80's, it was, to us, just a really nice place to play some soccer. I wish we had known that then.

[@keithmitchell6918]

Civics & history - who would have thought? A renewed respect for Ken Burns. Well done Recondo - very dang cool. Hope its not too late for folks to learn...

[@jacobmasters438]

Too bad he will continue supporting Democrats. All the while they lie about our nations past. Ken Burns lost me when he compared Ron Desantis actions against unhealthy literature in public schools by comparing him to "Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler."

[@jeremysears9964]

What a bonus! Can’t get enough of Tim Smith! Cool

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Tim is the man.

[@MrWheely1]

Love to see you back in europe 😂😂 D-day. Market garden. Bastogne.... are you @ all 3

[@Obizzil.]

I believe the American Battlefield Trust is taking donations to help preserve the battlefield.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

100%. I’m one of their donors.