Where did Lincoln give his Gettysburg Address from?

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SUMMARY

On November 19, Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, a speech that has become historically significant despite its initial lack of recognition. Historians, including Christopher Oakley, have utilized old photographs and 3D rendering software, specifically Maya, to pinpoint Lincoln's exact location during the address. Previous estimates, such as the Frassanito Platform, have been challenged due to limited photographic evidence and changes in the land's surface over time. The discussion highlights the challenges faced in accurately determining the site of this pivotal moment in American history.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of historical context surrounding the Gettysburg Address
  • Familiarity with 3D rendering software, specifically Maya
  • Knowledge of photographic techniques from the 19th century
  • Awareness of historical research methodologies
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the use of 3D rendering in historical reconstructions
  • Explore the significance of the Frassanito Platform in historical studies
  • Investigate the evolution of photography techniques in the 19th century
  • Study the impact of the Gettysburg Address on American history and culture
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Historians, educators, students of American history, and anyone interested in the intersection of technology and historical research will benefit from this discussion.

BillTre
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Four score and 79 years ago today (Nov. 19) Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address speech. It was not initially the item of great distinction it is today. It seems the location was little noted, nor long remembered.
Now historians have been engaged in an ongoing attempt to figure out exactly where Lincoln was standing when he gave the address.
There have been many attempts to do this, hindered by a lack of photographic evidence (6 not great photos from 4 locations) as well as a regrading of the surface of the land.
Screenshot 2022-11-19 at 11.46.28 AM.png


This NY Times anniversary article describes how Christopher Oakley used the old photographs and a 3D rendering program (Maya) to address this unfinished historical work. I found it an interesting article. It may or may not be behind a paywall. You may get some small number of free views of NY Times material per month.
This picture summarizes his results in comparison with previous conclusions:
Screenshot 2022-11-19 at 11.33.05 AM.png

The Frassanito Platform was the previous best estimate.

Here is the entire Gettysburg Address:
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
The speech was so short the photographers were not able to get many shots of it. Photography was a slow process back then and the previous speaker took about 2 hours to speak while Lincoln finished in about two minutes.
 
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In my 4th grade class, we had to memorize and recite the Gettysburg Address.

From the ground-level photographs, like the B&W one above, I would image they could tell where he was approximately. But then, I imagine the site has weathered since.
 
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