The Farnsworth House Inn – Haunted Hotel in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

The Farnsworth House Inn sits on Baltimore Street in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and it carries a reputation that few buildings in America can match.

Built around 1810, this old brick house survived the bloodiest battle ever fought on American soil.

Its south wall still holds over 100 bullet holes, silent scars from three days of fighting in July 1863.

Guests who stay here say the war never truly ended within these walls.

Footsteps cross empty floors. Voices whisper in the dark. Shadows move where no one stands.

For those who chase the unexplained, few places rival the Farnsworth House. It has earned a permanent spot among the most talked about haunted sites in the country.

Historical Background

The oldest part of the Farnsworth House was built around 1810 as a private home.

An addition followed decades later, giving the inn the brick facade visitors see today.

When the Battle of Gettysburg erupted in July 1863, the house sat in a deadly position between the two armies.

Confederate sharpshooters seized the building and climbed into the attic garret.

From that high vantage point they fired down on Union positions along Cemetery Hill.

The fighting left the south wall riddled with bullet holes. More than 100 of them still mark the brick to this day.

Those scars make the house one of the most tangible reminders of the battle anywhere in town.

The house is also tied to one of the saddest stories of the battle.

Jennie Wade, a young local woman, was the only civilian killed during the three days of fighting.

She was struck by a stray bullet while baking bread in a nearby house.

Many believe the fatal shot came from a sharpshooter positioned in the Farnsworth attic.

The theory has never been proven, but it has bound the inn to her memory for generations.

The name Farnsworth came later, honoring Union General Elon Farnsworth, who died during the battle.

Over the years the building has served as a home, a shop, and finally the inn and restaurant it is now.

Each chapter of its history seems to have left something behind, layering story upon story within the same walls.

Paranormal Activity Summary

The Farnsworth House is said to hold an unusual number of spirits under one roof.

Some accounts claim 14 or more distinct presences linger here.

Guests and staff report footsteps on empty staircases and hallways.

Cold spots appear without warning, even on warm summer nights.

Doors open and close on their own. Lights and small objects seem to shift when no one is looking.

Perhaps the strangest report involves music. Visitors describe the faint twang of a jew’s harp drifting through the rooms.

Others feel a gentle touch on the shoulder or a tug at their clothing.

The activity clusters in certain rooms and in the attic, as if the spirits keep to the places they knew in life.

Ghost Stories & Reports

The best known spirit is a woman named Mary, believed to have been a midwife.

Guests describe her as a calming presence, sometimes felt near the beds of those who are unwell or upset.

Then there is the Sergeant, a Confederate soldier who seems tied to the wartime days of the house.

People report the heavy sound of boots and the sense of a stern figure standing guard.

A young boy named Jeremy is another beloved presence.

Legend holds that Jeremy was struck by a wagon and died young.

Visitors say they hear soft giggling or feel a small hand tug at their sleeve.

A grieving woman is often described near the windows, watching as if waiting for someone who never returns.

Staff working late tell of whispers, old war tunes, and the quiet notes of that phantom jew’s harp.

Taken together, the stories paint the inn as a crossroads for many souls rather than a single restless ghost.

Most Haunted Spot

The attic garret is widely considered the heart of the haunting.

This was the sharpshooter’s nest, the cramped space where Confederate marksmen took aim during the battle.

Visitors describe a heavy, watchful feeling the moment they step inside.

The Sara Black and Eliza Smith rooms are also known for strong activity.

Guests in these rooms report cold spots, the sense of being watched, and small objects moved by unseen hands.

The cellar carries its own weight, serving as the setting for the inn’s ghost tours and its candlelit mourning theater.

Down in that dim space, many feel the past pressing close.

Can You Visit?

Yes, the Farnsworth House Inn welcomes visitors and remains a working inn and restaurant.

Guests can book a room for the night, dine on the property, or join one of the ghost programs.

The inn is known for guided ghost walks and storytelling sessions held in the cellar.

These tours usually require a ticket booked in advance, especially during busy seasons.

Because dates, prices, and hours change, it is best to check the inn’s official schedule before you plan your trip.

If you want to compare it with other stays, explore our roundup of the most haunted hotels in America before you book.

Best Time to Visit

Autumn is the most popular time to visit, when Gettysburg fills with history lovers and ghost seekers.

October in particular draws crowds eager for the inn’s evening tours.

Many guests feel the atmosphere grows heaviest around early July, the anniversary of the battle.

Evening and overnight stays offer the best chance to experience the quiet hours when reports tend to rise.

If you prefer smaller crowds, weeknights outside the peak season can feel far more intimate.

Whenever you go, the town’s deep history makes the whole visit worthwhile.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

Overnight guests often share the same handful of experiences the next morning.

Several describe waking to the feeling of someone sitting on the edge of the bed.

Others say they felt a gentle hand smooth their hair or blanket, a gesture many link to the midwife spirit called Mary.

Tour attendees in the cellar report sudden cold drafts and the sense of movement just beyond the candlelight.

Parents visiting with children sometimes mention that a child giggled at an empty corner, a moment often tied to the boy Jeremy.

Staff members recount footsteps overhead when the upper floors sit empty.

A few describe faint music, the odd metallic hum of a jew’s harp with no player in sight.

None of these accounts can be proven, yet their consistency over the years is part of what keeps the legend alive.

Local Legends & Myths

The strongest local legend ties the inn to the death of Jennie Wade.

Storytellers in Gettysburg have long claimed that the shot which killed her came from a sharpshooter in the Farnsworth attic.

Whether true or not, the tale has become a fixture of the town’s ghost lore.

Another popular belief is that the inn shelters more than a dozen spirits, each with its own story.

Some say the wounded who were treated near the battle lines never fully departed the area.

The mourning theater held in the cellar leans into these traditions, recreating the Victorian customs of grief and remembrance.

Guides who host these sessions often weave real battle history into the ghostly retellings, which keeps the legends grounded in the town’s past.

For visitors who want more history nearby, Gettysburg sits within easy reach of many other haunted places in Pennsylvania.

As with any long standing legend, the line between documented fact and repeated story can blur, so travelers are wise to enjoy the tales with a curious and open mind.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The Farnsworth House has drawn ghost hunters and film crews for decades.

It has appeared in television features about the most haunted places in America.

Investigators say they have captured electronic voice phenomena, unusual readings, and odd shapes in photographs taken inside the inn.

The attic and cellar are favorite spots for these sessions because of their heavy atmosphere and wartime history.

Teams often use audio recorders, temperature meters, and electromagnetic detectors to document their visits.

Many groups run their sessions late at night, when the inn is quiet and outside noise is at its lowest.

If you plan to run your own session, our guide to ghost hunting equipment explains the tools most investigators rely on.

It is worth remembering that no investigation has produced proof that would satisfy skeptics.

Still, the volume of reports keeps the inn near the top of many paranormal travel lists.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

The Farnsworth House Inn is a private business, so visitors should always respect its rules and staff.

Tours and overnight stays should be booked through official channels rather than trespassing after hours.

Some rooms may be closed to the public when guests are staying in them, so plan around the posted schedule.

The building is old, with narrow stairs and dim lighting in places like the attic and cellar, so move carefully.

Guests are asked not to provoke or taunt the spirits, both out of courtesy and local tradition.

Photography is generally welcome, but always follow the guidance given by tour leaders.

With a little respect and common sense, a visit to the Farnsworth House can be both safe and unforgettable.

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