(April 2007) GETTYSBURG, Pa. - The fundraising goal for the new museum and visitor center at Gettysburg National Military Park shot up to $125 million in February, reflecting increased construction and administrative costs, plus $5 million to boost projects of the former Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg.

Robert Wilburn, president of the nonprofit Gettysburg Foundation, stated, "From the start, we have worked to ensure that the Gettysburg experience reaches its full potential." The new facility is slated to open in late spring of 2008.

The foundation issued a lengthy press release Feb. 16 detailing the cost increases. They had set a goal of $95 million in 2002. Among the items:

- Restoration of Ziegler's Grove, where the current visitor and Cyclorama centers now stand, has jumped from $4 million to $7 million. "We gave it our best estimate" when setting the original fundraising goal, said foundation spokesman Dru Anne Neil. But a more recent look at the project, which includes razing the two large buildings, resulted in the hiked cost.

- Money for land-acquisition and restoration projects of the former Friends is pegged at $5 million, up from zero. The Friends merged with the foundation in June 2006, and the foundation's membership department has taken on the former organization's responsibilities.

- General administrative costs have jumped from $10 million to nearly $14 million. The foundation now employs about 40 people. Several are devoted to ticketing and reservations, as well as custodial service, in the existing visitor center. These were formerly the responsibility of Eastern National, a cooperating nonprofit association.

- Restoration of the Cyclorama painting has soared from $5.5 million to over $11 million. Neil said bringing the 365-foot painting back to its original glory was proving "the largest project of its kind on the continent - ever." Although neither the park nor the foundation sought federal funding, Congress has approved $11.5 million for the restoration.

- The cost of exhibits for the new museum has jumped from $7.6 million to $15.7 million. Neil explained that the foundation decided not to skimp on this important aspect of the new facility, which will boast 11 galleries, five films and "a variety of computer interactives" that will "immerse visitors in the causes and consequences, sights and sounds, of the war."

- Design and construction costs have climbed from $51 million to $55 million.

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