10 Museums in Gettysburg That You Shouldn't Miss

September 28, 2021 Frederic Celentano

Gettysburg is steeped in the history of the Civil War. In 1863, it was the site of the epic Battle of Gettysburg, in which some 50,000 soldiers were killed. It is also, of course, the place where Abraham Lincoln delivered the immortal Gettysburg Address. The town itself is made up of houses, hotels and taverns dating back several centuries, but Gettysburg offers more modern travel and leisure activities, as well, like wine tastings, orchard tours, shopping and golfing.
Restaurants in Gettysburg

1. Gettysburg Museum of History

219 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA 17325-2315 +1 717-337-2035 http://www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 1,300 reviews

Gettysburg Museum of History

The Museum that was featured on History's "American Picker's" The Gettysburg Museum Of History has over 4,000 artifacts on display. The Museum is FREE TO THE PUBLIC! The Museum covers all areas of American History. Military and Political History are the focus with some pop culture covered. Some highlights include: A lock of George and Martha Washington's hair, Abraham Lincoln's wallet and opera glasses,John Wilkes Booth's splint relic, the largest collection of Gettysburg battlefield relics on display in Gettysburg, an autograph or manuscript from each president, Harry Truman's hat, Dwight D. Eisenhower's golf clubs, JFK's rocking chair, suit, and bloodstained limousine upholstery from the assassination, the flag that flew during the attack on Pearl Harbor, Shell casing from Ruby's gun that Killed Oswald, Hitler's silver that was captured by U.S. forces at his home. The Fredrick G. Pfeffer collection of relics from Pickett's Charge. The Robert L. White collection of JFK, The Captain Good collection (wounded in action at Gettysburg) includes the items he used during the battle and the bullet that wounded him! Uniforms,flags, accoutrements, weapons, documents, photos, much much more!The Gettysburg Museum Of History also buys artifacts as well as sells them. Please stop by and see the most amazing collection in Gettysburg at no charge!

Reviewed By Ricky216 - Luling, United States

This museum has an extensive collection of artifacts from various periods of American history... The Gettysburg collection is amazing and obviously took a long time to acquire. The museum is a private collection and charges no admission...

2. Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center

1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA 17325-7034 +1 717-338-1243 [email protected] http://www.gettysburgfoundation.org/
Excellent
82%
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5.0 based on 5,610 reviews

Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center

"A New Birth of Freedom," narrated by Morgan Freeman, orients you to the battle; then see the sights and hear the sounds of the battle in the historic Cyclorama Painting Experience. Finally, tour the museum, packed with original artifacts and interactive exhibits. Tickets and shuttle bus to Eisenhower National Historic Site and seasonal programs at Spangler Farm Civil War Field Hospital from Visitor Center. Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence, USA Today Top 10 Places to Visit, AAA Gem. Purchase tickets prior to your arrival online and reserve a Battlefield Guide (licensed through the National Park Service) through the Gettysburg Foundation, non-profit partner to the National Park Service at Gettysburg. Admission fee for Cyclorama, Film and Museum. Entry to Visitor Center, Museum Bookstore and Refreshment Saloon is free.

Reviewed By conimaries - Pennsylvania, United States

I strongly recommend starting your Gettysburg experience by visiting the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor’s Center. If you choose to do anything, I strongly recommend the Film, Cyclorama and Museum combination. The film, narrated by Morgan Freeman, paints a wonderful picture of what led up to the Civil War, the Battle at Gettysburg, and how our country has evolved (although it’s clear to see the parallel between what was going on in 1863 and what is going on in 2019). And Morgan Freeman has way of narrating that just pulls you in. After the film, you are invited to view the Cyclorama which is the most beautiful, yet saddening, image of the Battle at Gettysburg. I won’t tell you all about the image because they’ll tell you about it when you get there, but suffice to say, it’s a must-see! The museum was full of historical information, photographs, and memorabilia. If you like museums, you could spend hours there. I, am not a museum person. I like to walk through them, look at the displays and take photos, but I don’t typically read the placards or take a lot of time in them. The statute of Abraham Lincoln is just outside the main entrance and you can obtain tour information at this location. They also have a Gift Shop/Book Store which is a great place for souvenirs and historical materials.

3. Ronn Palm's Museum of Civil War Images

229 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA 17325-2315 +1 724-664-5150 http://www.ronnpalmmuseum.com/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 29 reviews

Ronn Palm's Museum of Civil War Images

Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States

The mission of Ronn Palm's Museum of Civil War Images is to honor the Civil War soldier by exhibiting original photography of the soldier through an excess of over 4,000 original images and artifacts on display. Located at 229 Baltimore Street in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the museum opened to the public in 2000 in a two-story log home dating to 1802. Now covered in brick, it remains the second oldest known structure in Gettysburg's historic district. The museum's collection focuses mainly on soldiers from Pennsylvania. One of the most impressive exhibits features the Pennsylvania Bucktails with over 350 Bucktail photographs and various memorabilia and reunion items. Palm's massive collection also features photographs from other Pennsylvania infantry and cavalry regiments and artillery batteries that fought at Gettysburg. Other states are represented, too. But Pennsylvania furnished more soldiers to the Union's Army of the Potomac than any other state. And, as Palm is eager to point out, Pennsylvania soldiers manned the stone wall at the Angle and Copse of Trees and turned back Pickett's Charge on the last day of the battle.

333 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA 17325-2628 +1 717-321-3647 [email protected] http://www.thedrawingroomgalleryllc.com
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

The Drawing Room Gallery LLC

The Drawing Room Gallery is a cooperative art gallery featuring a diverse array of fine art - and a wide range of prices! - in many media by artists Claire Beadon Carnell, Anne Finucane, Amy Lindenberger and Charlotte Yealey. Oils, watercolors, prints and drawings of many subjects fill this charming and casual gallery in historic downtown Gettysburg. Browsers welcome!

5. Gettysburg Dime Museum

224 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA 17325-2334 +1 717-321-5156 [email protected] http://www.gettysburgdimemuseum.com
Excellent
75%
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5.0 based on 16 reviews

Gettysburg Dime Museum

The Gettysburg Dime Museum is a recreation of a 19th century dime museum. Dedicated to the strange and unusual, the GDM exhibits both genuine and not-so-genuine artifacts, leaving it to the visitor to distinguish between the two. Exhibits include freaks of nature, true crime & serial killer memorabilia, historic enigmas, legendary creatures, medical quackery, and other wonders of the world.

6. 1863 Escape

344 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA 17325-2601 +1 717-420-2409 [email protected] http://www.1863escape.com/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 141 reviews

1863 Escape

1863 Escape Room offers an "escape room" experience that appeals to a wide range of audiences. Our escape rooms are perfect for families looking for a bonding activity; couples looking for an unique date night; or businesses or co-workers interested in creative team building. You can be a history buff, or a novice; a bachelor party; or a group of friends looking for a challenge.

Reviewed By pwdoty - Norfolk, United States

My husband and I did the Rebel Recon room and we escaped with just minutes to spare. Lots of great puzzles with good clues and it was fun to tie in the town's history into the room. Would definitely recommend!

7. Museum Of Haunted Objects

242 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA 17325-2334 +1 717-338-1818 https://www.facebook.com/Museum-Of-Haunted-Objects-234684210486574/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 34 reviews

Museum Of Haunted Objects

Reviewed By 554brandaa - Philadelphia, United States

Our tour guide, John, took us through a journey of the paranormal. He wove tales of the macabre with interjections of humor keeping you on your toes but at the same time kept us feeling protected by his knowledge and experience with the arcane. John explained the vast histories of the objects that literally bled the energy of the battlefield. Some artifacts possessed a dark aura. John was very selfless in shielding us from their malignant forces. No adventure through Gettysburg would be complete without a spine tingling layover in the dark realm of the Museum of Haunted Objects. .....Once a skeptic.....

8. Shriver House Museum

309 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA 17325-2602 +1 717-337-2800 [email protected] http://www.shriverhouse.org/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 831 reviews

Shriver House Museum

You may know what happened on battlefield...but do you know what happened to the families and their homes in town? The Shriver House Museum is an award-winning Civil War museum dedicated to the civilian experience during the Battle of Gettysburg. The story is told through the eyes of the Shriver family, whose ancestors settled in the area in the 1700s. While George Shriver served in the Union army, his wife, Hettie, was worried about the safety of their daughters, Mollie (5) and Sadie (7), as well as their home. When soldiers filled the streets of Gettysburg, Hettie (27) chose to take her children back to her family's farm three miles south of town, by Big Round Top; where she thought they would be out of harm's way. Hettie could not know she jumped from the frying pan into the fire or that her unoccupied home would offer the Rebels an outstanding view of Union ground. It was quickly commandeered by Confederates to set up a sharpshooters' nest in the attic. Today the Shrivers' home appears much the same way it did when it was built in 1860, just a few months before the Civil War began. Guides in period dress recount the harrowing story of the Shriver family's experiences as you walk through their home - from the Confederate sharpshooters' nest in the attic, through their finely-appointed home, to Shriver's Saloon in the cellar. The story of George Shriver was not well-known until 1996 when his house, which sat abandoned for nearly 30 years, was painstakingly restored to its original appearance. Today the Shrivers' story is one of the most intriguing stories told when it comes to the civilian aspect of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Reviewed By Y3151VZjamesp - Waldorf, United States

Was a great tour, it showed how the battlefield was also in the city and how it affected the civilian population. If you are there for the history it is definitely a place you have to stop.

9. Jennie Wade House

548 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA 17325-2605 +1 717-334-4100 http://www.gettysburgbattlefieldtours.com/gettysburg-tours/jennie-wade-house/
Excellent
70%
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 1,500 reviews

Jennie Wade House

The Jennie Wade House is a guided tour with the guides in period clothing taking you through the home where the only civilian killed during the battle of Gettysburg was tragically lost. As the story unfolds the guides take you room to room following the path of the family on July 3rd 1863. Tour has been modified to adhere to Social Distancing protocol as well as shields have been installed. Be respectful and wear a mask for the safety of our staff and guests.

Reviewed By MichelleBauer1124

I always assumed this was named the Jennie Wade house because she owned it, I had no idea the actual history behind it. Our tour guide gave us a great tour and to be able to experience walking through a house that the Civil War soldiers were in and all the history surrounding it was amazing.

10. Gettysburg Heritage Center

297 Steinwehr Ave, Gettysburg, PA 17325-2815 +1 717-334-6245 [email protected] http://www.gettysburgmuseum.com/
Excellent
70%
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4.5 based on 470 reviews

Gettysburg Heritage Center

Discover... The Town, The People, Their Stories. Bordering the Gettysburg National Military Park battlefield, the Heritage Center is an educational and entertaining museum for families and tour groups of all ages. Learn what the Battle of Gettysburg meant to the people who lived here during the war. Utilizing artifacts, historical documents, interactive displays, and 3-D productions, visitors will gain a better understanding of the events that took place in the town before, during and after the battle. Find out how the people reacted to the invasion of the town - freeze, flee or fight? Hear accounts of ordinary people doing extraordinary things in a time when their home was in turmoil. Located in the lobby of the Gettysburg Heritage Center is one of the largest and extensive gift stores. Offering a wide selection of books, apparel, gifts, collectibles, games & toys, replica weapons and much more! There is something for everyone at the Gettysburg Heritage Center!

Reviewed By AimeeB472

This is absolutely one of the best museums in Gettysburg - and definitely one for the whole family! The interactive exhibits tell the story of the battle in a unique and interesting way with video, 3-D images and immersive exhibits like the cellar experience that are both educational and entertaining. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful and this is definitely one of the best gift shops in all of Gettysburg. There is something for all here - from the serious historian to the youngest family member - everyone will enjoy their visit to this experience!

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