Donald W. Dorr brings decades of legal expertise and a distinguished record of public service to the Gettysburg Museum of History Foundation. A practicing attorney for more than 60 years, he specializes in probate and estate planning, real estate, business law, and related fields. He earned his A.B. from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1961 and has long served the community through his work at Buchen, Wise & Dorr in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

Donald’s roots run deep in Gettysburg. As a member of the extended Pfeffer–Dorr family, his ancestors lived and farmed on land that would become one of the most iconic sites of the Civil War—Ziegler’s Grove, the very ground crossed during Pickett’s Charge on July 3, 1863. The family’s stewardship of this historic landscape, along with the battlefield artifacts they preserved, laid the foundation for what would eventually become the Gettysburg Museum of History.

Beyond his legal career, Donald served in roles connected to the U.S. Congress, contributing to legislative and constituent work that strengthened his lifelong commitment to civic responsibility and public history. His dedication to service, combined with his family’s historic legacy, informs his leadership on the Foundation board.

Today, Donald W. Dorr helps guide the mission of preserving the Museum’s unparalleled collection and ensuring that the stories of Gettysburg—and the nation—remain accessible to future generations. His commitment reflects a simple truth shared by his family for generations: our history is worth protecting.