The National Park Service is responding to criticism about commercialization at its parks by dropping plans for a large-screen IMAX theater and several retail shops at Gettysburg.
The agency still will move forward with a planned face lift at the Gettysburg National Military Park but will scale down a proposed visitors' center and museum complex at a battleground that many historians consider the turning point of the Civil War."IMAX was not well-received by the public," acknowledged John A. Latschar, the Gettysburg park superintendent.
He and other Park Service officials outlined the changes Thursday. The new complex, designed to replace cramped facilities deemed "below atrocious," will be proposed formally in August.