Gettysburg Sentinels
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Handcrafted items made from wood harvested from trees related to the Battle of Gettysburg. Gettysburg Sentinels was founded in 2007 by retired Army Lt.
Colonel William D. Hewitt to afford the opportunity for those who cherish the history of the Battle of Gettysburg to own products made of the wood of trees harvested from the Gettysburg Battlefield. Many of our products are made from the wood of Witness trees, which are those that stood during the battle in July of 1863. Other wood from newer Battlefield trees are used as well. In early 2022, Colonel Hewitt sold Gettysburg Sentinels to long-time friend and fellow woodworker, Greg Allen. Greg and his wife Tina have lived in an historic house on Chambersburg Road just west of the Gettysburg Battlefield since 1986 where, most notably, Colonel Henry Burgwyn was buried late in the morning of July 1, 1863. The youngest Colonel in the Confederate Army, Burgwyn, was mortally wounded by Union infantry while saving the regimental flag. He was removed from the field where he died on the property later that day. Greg retired in January of 2022 after a 40 year career from a company he founded with Tina in 1982. His passion for history and love of woodworking will continue the legacy of this very unique business that is Gettysburg Sentinels. Visit my About page to learn more:
https://www.gettysburgsentinels.com/about
In early July 1863, the Rose family's wheat stood tall and nearly ready to harvest.
Instead of farmers with sickles, thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers swept through the field. Within hours, ripe wheat was flattened by marching men, artillery fire, and cavalry horses.
After the battle, survivors described the once-golden field as covered with broken weapons, discarded equipment, and the fallen.
A family's livelihood became one of the most famous battlefields in American history almost overnight.
History isn’t only something you visit. Sometimes, it’s something you can carry with you.
Gettysburg Sentinels Witness Tree Rings are handcrafted from wood connected to the historic landscape of Gettysburg—turning a piece of the past into something deeply personal.
And there’s something especially meaningful about bringing that history back to the ground where its story began.
A connection to history. A story you can carry with you.
Explore the Witness Tree Collection at Gettysburg Sentinels.
09/30/2026
Take a different kind of Gettysburg tour. 🌳
You’ve driven past the monuments. Walked the battlefield. Stood where history happened.
But have you ever explored Gettysburg through its trees?
We mapped five historic Gettysburg tree locations with Union and Lincoln connections—from Baltimore Street and Seminary Ridge to Cemetery Ridge and the former grounds of Camp Letterman.
Each marks a place with a story from 1863.
Save this post, grab the map and take the drive.
How many have you visited? We've included driving directions in the comments.
09/24/2026
A new way to discover Gettysburg history. 🇺🇸
We've added a Clearance Collection to Gettysburg Sentinels, featuring select handcrafted pieces now 20% off.
Explore witness tree and battlefield wood pens, shadow boxes, letter openers, bottle stoppers and more—each with a story connected to the places and people of Gettysburg's past.
Quantities are limited, and some pieces may not return once they're gone.
https://www.gettysburgsentinels.com/category/clearance-products
FAQ: Why are these items in Clearance?
Most are due to a change in our engraving font or because the hardware is no longer available. A few are being discontinued altogether. Each item notes the specific reason for its reduced price.
09/18/2026
From Gettysburg… to homes across the country. ❤️
One of the best parts of what we do is hearing from you after your Gettysburg Sentinels order arrives.
The messages, photos and kind words we’ve received lately have meant more than you know. And when we look at this map—filled with pins marking just some of the places our pieces have traveled—it’s incredible to see just how far these stories are going.
Each piece begins here, with a connection to Gettysburg and its history. But once it leaves us, it becomes part of your story—a keepsake, a gift, a reminder of a meaningful visit or a connection to the past.
Thank you to everyone who has ordered, shared our work and taken a little piece of Gettysburg home with you.
History isn’t only something you visit. Sometimes, it’s something you can carry with you.
Gettysburg is a place where the past still feels present—in the landscape, the landmarks and the stories that helped shape a nation.
Gettysburg Sentinels rings are crafted with wood connected to historic places throughout Gettysburg, transforming pieces of the past into something meaningful, personal and made to last.
Each ring preserves a tangible connection to history while giving its story a new chapter—one that can be carried forward for generations.
Discover the Gettysburg Sentinels Ring Collection and find the story that speaks to you.
📚Every piece begins with a story.
09/09/2026
History isn’t just something we remember—sometimes, we get the extraordinary opportunity to step back into it.
November 19 promises to be a remarkable day here in Gettysburg, recreating a moment that shaped our nation more than 160 years ago.
We’re proud to share this opportunity for living historians and reenactors to be part of it. 🇺🇸
The Abraham Lincoln Witness Tree didn't just witness a battle.
In July 1863, it stood as Gettysburg became a place of smoke, gunfire, and unimaginable loss.
Just four months later, it watched thousands return—not as soldiers, but as mourners, families, politicians, and citizens gathered to dedicate a cemetery to those who had fallen.
The same streets that echoed with cannon fire welcomed President Abraham Lincoln as he walked toward Cemetery Hill.
Few places in America witnessed such a dramatic transformation in so short a time—from the devastation of war to one of the nation's greatest expressions of hope.
Some trees witness history. This one witnessed healing.
08/21/2026
Every Gettysburg Sentinels piece begins with a story.
Most people know George A. Custer for Little Bighorn, but years earlier, as a 23-year-old brigadier general, he was making history at Gettysburg. On July 2, 1863, Custer led a daring cavalry charge near Hunterstown, where his horse was shot from beneath him. Rescued by his orderly, he survived and returned to the fight the very next day.
Today, handcrafted keepsakes made from a swamp ash that grew on the very ground where Custer's Headquarters once stood help preserve this often-overlooked chapter of the Gettysburg Campaign.
Bring home a piece of Gettysburg's story. Explore the Custer's Headquarters Battlefield Collection today.
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Gettysburg, PA
Opening Hours
| Monday | 9am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 9am - 5pm |
| Friday | 9am - 5pm |
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