HANOVER, Pa. (AP) – When Scott Roland bought the 50-year-old electric map that illustrates the Battle of Gettysburg, he had never seen the 12-ton map.

He didn’t anticipate that it would require so much work and side projects before it could be shown to the public, but Roland said the electric map might be ready to unveil by the end of the month.

First, asbestos had to be removed from the map. Then it was discovered that many of the 600 lights had broken pieces. Also, the control system was missing.

Roland purchased a 3-D printer to make the necessary parts for the damaged lights rather than paying $25 per piece for each damaged light. The 3-D printer will later be used to benefit art programs at Hanover Public School District.

Student volunteers from the Gettysburg Campus of Harrisburg Area Community College student volunteers will start work to complete the necessary electrical updates and controller programming within the next few weeks, and Roland said he hopes all of the work can be finished by the end of the month.

“Students involved in this project will have an opportunity to enhance their understanding of course content and deepen their interest in the content, apply skills and concepts learned in class and develop relationships with business and community leaders that could lead to future employment opportunities,” said Shannon Harvey, campus vice president of Gettysburg HACC.

Roland bought the map at auction last October and put it in a building he owns on Carlisle Street that will eventually serve as a conference and heritage center. Although there are no solid plans or dates for when the conference center will be complete, just as with the map, Roland said he couldn’t resist snatching up any opportunity to give vision to developing downtown Hanover.

“This one project morphed into a community of projects,” Roland said.

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Information from: The Evening Sun, http://www.eveningsun.com

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