Should You Visit the Jennie Wade House Museum?
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Visiting the Jennie Wade Museum
If you are visiting Gettysburg, you are sure to hear about Jennie Wade. She was a 20-year-old girl who had the misfortune of being the only civilian killed during the Battle of Gettysburg back in 1863 while making bread in the kitchen. Did you know that you can visit the house where she was shot and killed during the battle? The Jennie Wade House Museum gives you an up-close look at how the fighting affected the townspeople and disrupted their lives.
Is the Jennie Wade House Dog Friendly?
Jennie Wade House is NOT dog friendly, so you will have to leave your pup behind in order to visit this museum. See our tips for leaving your dog alone in a new place so you don’t have to miss out on any non-dog-friendly stops.
What is Jennie Wade House?
The Jennie Wade House is a piece of history that gives visitors an up-close look at the civilian cost during the Civil War. This building is where Jennie, the only civilian that was killed during the Battle of Gettysburg, was killed. As you walk through the house, you will see the holes created by the bullets that ended Jennie’s life as well as other artifacts from the fighting and the late 1800s.
Where to Stay When Visiting Jennie Wade House
Gettysburg is a popular city full of Civil War attractions which means there are a ton of options when looking for a place to stay when visiting. Keep in mind that because this is a popular destination, they can book up in advance during the busier summer months.
Campsites Near Gettysburg Pennsylvania
If you are looking to camp during your stay, there are several campgrounds in the area where you can tent camp, bring your RV, or rent a cabin:
- Artillery Ridge Campground and Horse Park– starts at $80 per night (pet-friendly)
- Drummer Boy Campground– $57 per night (pet-friendly)
- Round Top Campground– starts at $63 per night (pet-friendly)
- Gettysburg Campground– starts at $79 per night (cabins and RV area is pet-friendly)
Hotels Near Gettysburg
Use our booking.com link to find the best hotel for your vacation!
Where to Eat When Visiting the Jennie Wade House
The city of Gettysburg is FULL of different places to eat. Here are a few of the closest restaurants to the Jennie Wade House if you don’t want to travel far:
Jennie Wade House
The Jennie Wade House is dedicated to sharing the story of the only civilian that was killed during the Battle of Gettysburg. Visitors can tour each room of the house and get an accurate look at the toll the Civil War had on the town. Though the house is small compared to today’s standards, it was the home of two families of slightly different socioeconomic statuses. As you go through each side of the house, you will be able to see the differences in how each family lived as well as several artifacts from the Civil War.
Jennie Wade House Price and Hours
There are a few different ways that you can experience the Jennie Wade House. Self-guided tours cost $12 per person and guided tours will cost $15 a person when they start later this year in 2023. You can also tour the house as part of an evening paranormal tour hosted by the Ghostly Images of Gettysburg for $14 per person.
Travel Tip: If you are planning on visiting several of the museums in Gettysburg or are traveling with numerous people, consider getting the Value Plan.
The hours of Jennie Wade House can fluctuate depending on the season and holidays. Typically, this museum is usually open from 9 am – 5 pm Sundays through Thursdays and 9 am – 6 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Jennie Wade House Gift Shop
The Jennie Wade House does have a gift shop where you can purchase tickets, check-in for your tour, and buy souvenirs from your stay. Here, you can find everything from garden décor, t-shirts, local goods, and even cookbooks.
How Long Can You Spend at Jennie Wade House?
The average time that you can spend at Jennie Wade House will depend on the type of tour that you book. If you book the self-guided tour, plan on spending about 30 minutes to walk through the house. The guided tours have not started yet, but we will post the information when we find it. If you are planning on doing the paranormal tour, they usually last around 90 minutes.
What to Expect at the Jennie Wade House
The Jennie Wade House is a small Civil War house that was home to two families. In front of the home is a statue of Jennie Wade with a plaque that shares how she died. There is also a gift shop and ticket counter in a small building next door. This attraction shares a free parking lot with the Gettysburg Battlefield Tours. It is important to note that there is NO public restroom here.
Jennie Wade House Tours
There are several ways that you can see the inside of the Jennie Wade House all involving three types of tours: self-guided, guided, and haunted. Depending on your interests and the time of day you would like to visit you can choose the tour best suited to your needs.
Self-Guided Tours of the Jennie Wade House
If you have signed up for a self-guided tour, you will check in and meet in the gift shop. Once it is time to start your tour, an employee will escort you over to the house. Before you enter the home, your temporary guide will give you a several-minute talk about how and where Jennie died as well as some background about the Battle of Gettysburg.
Before you head into the house, your guide will hand you a brochure that will give you information about the 8 rooms and cellar in the house. You can spend as long as you like inside the house, but due to its small size, your self-guided tour will most likely only take 20-30 minutes.
The first room you enter is the room where Jennie was shot and died. Here you will see where she was kneading bread for Union soldiers when she was killed as well as the bullets holes in the kitchen doors. There is a legend that says that any unmarried woman who places her ring finger through the bullet hole will get a marriage proposal within a year.
As you walk through the building, you will also be able to see how the two families on either side of the house lived, as well as different artifacts from the Civil War. On the top floor you can still see the damage that an artillery shell caused after going through the roof.
In one of the displays, you can see the artillery shell that had damaged the house as well as one of the blood-stained floorboards from where Jennie had died.
Once you are done with the main house, you can go down into the cellar. This is where they ended up storing Jennie’s body until the battle was over and they could safely bury her.
Guided Tours of the Jennie Wade House
Coming Soon!
Haunted Tours of the Jennie Wade House
Ghostly Images of Gettysburg also hosts the Spirits of the Jennie Wade tour which lasts about 90 minutes and costs $14 a person. This guided tour will take you through the house and the surrounding area of East Cemetery Hill while you hear stories of the different ghostly encounters and hauntings that people have experienced here.
Travel Tip: I’d recommend doing the Spirits of Jennie Wade Tour in the evening over the self-guided tour. (When we visited the guided tours hadn’t started yet.) Though seeing the inside of Jennie Wade House was interesting, I felt the entry fee was a bit high for it was. The Spirit’s Tour was just a few more dollars, but you get a longer, guided tour of more areas. I definitely wish we had rearranged our schedule to do this tour instead!
Nearby Attractions:
For ideas of places to visit in and around Gettysburg, check out these stops.
Attractions Around Gettysburg:
Attractions Near Gettysburg:
- Berkeley Springs State Park
- Hershey Park and Chocolate World
- Flight 93 Memorial
- Harper’s Ferry National Park
Dog-friendly Attractions near Gettysburg:
- Gettysburg National Park
- Harper’s Ferry National Park
- Monongahela Forest (areas like Seneca Rocks or Cranberry Glades Botanical Area)
- Trans- Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
Why You Should Visit:
The Civil War is a huge part of American history with the Battle of Gettysburg considered to be the turning point of the war. Being able to see firsthand places and artifacts from such a historical time in places like Jennie Wade House is an experience that everyone should have. Learning about these events in this way really brings home the sacrifices that were made so we can enjoy our freedom and way of life today. I hope you get a chance to visit the town and at least some of the museums in the area!
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