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Critics contend the Cyclorama Building blocks views showing the expanse of the Gettysburg battlefield. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Demolition of Gettysburg Cyclorama building begins

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Critics contend the Cyclorama Building blocks views showing the expanse of the Gettysburg battlefield. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Critics contend the Cyclorama Building blocks views showing the expanse of the Gettysburg battlefield. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

GETTYSBURG, Pa. (AP) – Demolition work has begun on the Cyclorama building at the Gettysburg National Military Park that used to house the 377-foot painting depicting a pivotal moment in the Civil War battle.

The (Hanover) Evening Sun says workers began tearing down the building last week. Park superintendent Bob Kirby said the demolition is scheduled to be completed by the end of April.

The park service has planned to tear down the building since 1999 but the architect’s son and a preservation group opposed the decision, and a long court battle ensued. A court-ordered study last year concluded that demolition was the best course of action.

The building was constructed in 1962 to house Paul Philippoteaux’s 360-degree painting of Pickett’s Charge, which was moved to a new visitor’s center in 2008.

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Information from: The Evening Sun, http://www.eveningsun.com

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

AP-WF-03-03-13 1449GMT

ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

Critics contend the Cyclorama Building blocks views showing the expanse of the Gettysburg battlefield. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Critics contend the Cyclorama Building blocks views showing the expanse of the Gettysburg battlefield. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.