Harrison, NE – Agate Fossil Beds National Monument has a big 4th of July weekend planned, highlighted Saturday morning by the dedication of a new exhibit along the Fossil Hills linking the park to General Gouverneur “G-K” Warren, one of the Union Army heroes of the Battle of Gettysburg…which is marking its 150th anniversary this week.
The dedication will include a talk on Warren by Agate museum curator and ranger Mark Hertig, while the park will continue its summer series of Native American artists-in-residence with Carol Snow at the visitor center Thursday through Sunday.
GK Warren was a lowly lieutenant of engineers in 1857 when he led an expedition to explore and map the upper Niobrara River as part of creating the first comprehensive map of the United States west of the Mississippi. He camped near the present day site of the visitor center and sketched the scenic skyline that forms the northern ridge on the eastern edge of the park…identifiable even today by a small hole-in-the-rock feature.
That would have little more than an interesting footnote to the park’s history if not for the fact that Warren moved his way up the command structure of the Union Army during the Civil War. He was a brigadier general and Chief Engineer for the Army of the Potomac at the Battle of Gettysburg, where he earned the moniker “Savior of Little Round Top.”
Warren initiated the defense of Little Round Top, recognizing the importance of the undefended position on the left flank of the Union Army on the second day of the battle, July 2nd. He rushed troops, on his own initiative, to occupy the high ground just minutes before it was attacked and successfully repulse a Confederate attack.
Saturday morning’s dedication will begin at 10:30 with Hertig talking about Warren life and career, his exploits on the Niobrara and at Gettysburg, and the nature of heroes and memory in battle. Hertig recently visited the Gettysburg battlefield and will and share photos of Little Round Top and other key positions.
Hertig and rangers will lead guided hikes to the fossil hills and talks on American Indian culture throughout the weekend while helping Junior Rangers with a fun activity book.
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is located 22 miles south of Harrison on State Highway 29. Summer hours for the visitor center are 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The walking trails are open from dawn until dusk. Agate Fossil Beds is a free park. For more information call 308-668-2211 or 308-436-9760, go to www.nps.gov/agfo or visit us on Facebook.