My time at Gettysburg National Military Park was exceptional and inspirational. I was provided with ample opportunities to explore the realms of public and archival history. To help expand the document collections in the Gettysburg archives, I traveled to several different historical collections throughout the United States. I traveled to the National Archives in Washington D.C. to obtain the records and affidavits of the men who received the Medal of Honor here at Gettysburg, and successfully recovered thirty-two of them. My trip to the New York State Archives in Albany New York yielded the most impressive historical artifact that we brought back to the Gettysburg National Military Park: the New York State Commission of Monuments record book, which explored the various locations, reasons for the monuments, and maps showing where they would be placed on the battlefield in order to recognize the fallen heroes of New York. The final archives which I had the opportunity to explore—University of Chapel Hill in North Carolina—revealed a collection of personal letters and accounts of what the battle looked like from the perspective of Confederate families. On top of collecting these materials, we also transcribed them, learning valuable skills in handwriting analysis and proper documentation. At the park itself, I got to engage with the public through helping to run the Hands-on History tables during Anniversary Week and joining several of the other interns there on a four mile hike in period accurate clothing over little round top. These experiences were absolutely incredible and I am not sure if I would have ever been able to experience something like this if I did not have this internship. The most rewarding elements of this summer, however, came in the support I received to pursue my own interests. Throughout the summer, Ethan and I wrote and illustrated a children’s book called The Soldier’s Tree, which explores the battle of Gettysburg through the perspective of a witness tree that still stands today. The support and research I was able to obtain through this internship made this vague idea a reality. The other amazing aspect of this internship that has helped me tremendously has been the opportunity to explore my own research. While visiting the National Archives, I was able to gather materials about Edward Antoniewski, a Polish Union Captain who was mortally wounded at the battle of Gettysburg. Exploring his story has inspired me to write a scholarly article about the struggles that Union immigrant soldiers faced in balancing their own citizenship with the motivations and official causes of the United States. This opportunity was absolutely astounding and could benefit anyone in their career and future endeavors.