Gettysburg’s Coster Avenue: The Brickyard Fight and the Mural

Author, historian, and artist Mark Dunkelman, shares his story of designing, funding, and painting a mural at the Coster Avenue site of the Brickyard Fight-a July 1 action in the Battle of Gettysburg. Often overlooked in battle histories, this hard-fought action resulted in more than 770 Union and Confederate casualties.
Mark recounts the details of the battle and his personal passion for this site. His great grandfather served in the Civil War with the 154th New York Volunteer Infantry, whose monument is on the preserved battlefield site. The Coster Avenue site, only three-quarters of an acre, is the smallest portion of the national military park, and it has been overshadowed by residential and light commercial growth in the borough of Gettysburg.
To bring awareness to this part of the Battle of Gettysburg, Mark initially proposed a mural at the site in 1977. Follow his story as he built support through reunions of 154th New York descendants and designed the mural, working with painter Johan Bjurman. Through photographs and movie clips, you can view today’s site with the 70-foot mural.

[@kimberlyann1960]

We love visiting this mural. Miss Gettysburg - our home away from home. Sadly, it has gotten very expensive to visit there.

[@michaelvaughn8864]

I haven't been there in years myself, Ms. Yann🙁 I've been putting it off for quite a long while now, ma'am. It'll be a 21 year drought this upcoming June since '03.

[@richardcondon1069]

Thanks for putting this program together! I’m fortunate enough to be able to view this section of the battlefield, and the mural, from my home office window.

[@Ray-vv4ey]

Outstanding video. Having visited Gettysburg about an even dozen times, and never having visited the Brick Yard site, I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to experience what I can only describe as a personal, virtual visit to the site.
It absolutely makes me want to get there the next time ( this year, once they reopen LRT, lol) I'm in Gettysburg.
Coincidentally, I'm a reenactor who presents as a member of the 82nd Illinois Vol. Inf. Regiment, 11th Corps, Third Division, who retreated through town as the 154th NY, and the other units at the Brick Yard, engaged the Confederate forces in visceral hand to hand combat.

[@kjsdahl]

The mural is such a hidden gem!!

[@terryeustice5399]

Well Eric did a video on this battle, so was aware of this location. The mural is awesome. This did justice to 154th New York. Battle at brickyard. On the 1st day. At Gettysburg the 1st day at Cooster’s Avenue. Thank you for restoring it. Thank you for Sharing ❤️
💯👍

[@JeffL-rj1xq]

Thank you for the great program! It was fascinating to listen to Mark take us from the beginnings to present day with the mural. I actually thought the mural was behind the glass, and not burned into it. Amazing what can be done to help preserve this somewhat hidden gem. 🙂 Also loved seeing those historical photographs of the area of the battlefield.

[@michaelvaughn8864]

What an amazing and gorgeous mural!!!💯 Love the painstaking detail in its precision💗 It's a literal work of art👍 My compliments to all involved in its creation

[@timschulze5789]

Wonderful, just Wonderful! You should be congratulated, phased , and thanked with the utmost gratitude of every American for the conception, execution, and preservation of this mural. Three cheers and a tiger to you!!!

[@lendir1]

I agree, they took dedication to this project far beyond expectations.

[@grumpyhunt]

Those photos are awesome!

[@davidwilhelm3431]

Wonderful program!

[@briankesterson4365]

Very nice presentation! I plan on showing this to my students sometime soon! Thank you again for creating this wonderful work of art!

[@bills6963]

It's worth the visit. A hidden gem in Gettysburg...

[@EstellaBeard]

Love the Mural! My husband and I visit it every time we visit Gettysburg!

[@thomasvanetten1984]

Thanks to this video I was able to visit the monument and mural for the first time. Thanks :)
Just a note; there isn’t much in the way of public parking there as it is a residential area.

[@user-rn1hn3fg5y]

Thank you!

[@mwdjr3158]

Absolutely fantastic! Thanks

[@FA_MG_13B_Retired]

I assumed this would cover more of the fighting at the brickyard

[@pizzafrenzyman]

Fascinating!

[@glennbehr1903]

ACHS....Coster Ave. Presntation by the artist who did the mural. Pretty interesting