Visit the oldest museum in Gettysburg! Learn the story of the only civilian to be killed during the Battle of Gettysburg. Authentically furnished from cellar to attic, the Jennie Wade House is a shrine to Jennie and to life during the American Civil War. Beyond the battlefield's thunder, this quiet home whispers the poignant, personal tragedy of Gettysburg's only civilian casualty—a life extinguished mid-morning by a stray bullet. Just 20 years old at the time of the Battle, Jennie was kneading dough in the kitchen when a rifle bullet pierced two doors and claimed her life.
Artifacts from that fatal day in 1863 are on display as well, including the artillery shell that punctured the roof of the house and a floorboard with Jennie’s blood still on it.
The museums knowledgeable guides, attired in period dress, bring the history of the house to vivid life with their passionate retellings of Jennie's heartbreaking story and that of her family. For years, these engaging storytellers have captivated visitors with their narratives, ensuring that the memory of this devastating event is kept alive for generations to come.
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Arrive at the Jennie Wade House gift shop (548 Baltimore Street) no less than 10 mins prior to tour time to check with with staff. Once checked in, the tour guide will escort the group outside to begin the tour.