Therese Orr

Faculty

Leadership qualities are timeless, and so are the lessons they provide us. For our participants at the Gettysburg Leadership Experience, we teach you the leadership lessons in the classroom, highlighting one of the battle leaders in 1863. Then we take you to one of the best classrooms in the world; stand on the ground where those men made their leadership decisions; and discuss what lessons they can teach us today, over 150 years later. What a great way to learn history and leadership at the same time!

Therese Orr enlisted in the United States Navy, serving three years on Active Duty and 27 years in the Navy Reserve, retiring as a Senior Chief Intelligence Specialist in 2007. Before earning her Guide license in September 2016, Therese Orr was Lead Assistant at the Rupp House History Center in Gettysburg, telling the story of the civilian experience during the 3-day battle. Therese has presented specialty tours for the Friends of Gettysburg semi-annual education events; had her choice for Gettysburg Unsung Hero published in the July 2019 issue of “America’s Civil War” magazine; and participated in Gettysburg College’s Civil War Institute virtual seminar in June 2021. She enjoys researching and providing specialty tours for guests of the battlefield, especially when the guest is a descendant of a Civil War soldier.

Additional Background

Stay-at-home mom until her youngest child graduated from high school
Has worked various part-time jobs in municipal government, accounting and insurance
During the winter months, she participates with an AARP program in Adams County that provides free tax return preparation for seniors serving as the coordinator for the two preparation sites; is the instructor for the program and prepares taxes
Proud mother of 3 children and grandmother of 3
Her family are descendants of a Civil War soldier, Patrick, who died serving the Union Army at Gettysburg and is buried in the Soldiers National Cemetery
Learning about Patrick’s life and service is what inspired Therese to study for the Guide exam
Has lived in Gettysburg since 2013 with her husband Dan

Faculty

Our faculty is made up of instructors and guides, many of whom are licensed battlefield guides. Instructors and guides are chosen for each session based upon the identified goals of the group.