The Haunted Farnsworth House Inn & Restaurant
The History
The original part of the house was built in 1810, followed by the brick structure in 1833. Before, during and after the Civil War, the Sweeny family owned this sturdy, safe home. The retreating Confederate soldiers also noticed what a fortress this home was, and especially liked the garret window in the attic, a perfect place for snipers to pick off Union soldiers on Cemetery Hill, just a 100 yards away, during the 3 day, bloody battle. The Sweeny's fled to safety and a group of Confederate soldiers took positions within the home's attic. Tragically, one of the snipers' stray bullet went through a home not far away, where Jennie and Georgia were making bread for the Union side. The bullet penetrated the Wade's door, killing Jenny Wade in her kitchen. After the battle of Gettysburg, Union forces also were attracted to this fortress-like home, and set up headquarters there. Sooner or later, the Sweeny's were able to move back into their home. They probably noticed the over 100 bullet marks in the southern wall of the brick addition, as visitors do today!. Following the battle, the house served as a hospital.
The Lincoln procession passed the Farnsworth House on November 19, 1863, on the way to the National Cemetery where he delivered the famous Gettysburg Address. Harvey Sweney, the owner of the house during the battle, composed a letter to his brother, penning the most insightful and powerful account ever written on the subject.
Around the turn-of-the-century, both structures became a bed and breakfast Inn, perhaps to take advantage of the people traveling to visit the Gettysburg battlefield, a place where over 50,000 men died in battle, and to visit the cemetery, where
perhaps friends and loved ones were buried. The Inn was named for a brave, Union Civil War officer, General John Farnsworth who died, along with 65 of his men, charging the right flank of General Longstreet's Confederate position.
The Hauntings
As seen on several cable paranormal programs, this inn and restaurant is a Ghost Hunter's destination target! Most of the hauntings are attached to presence of spiritual entities from Confederate Soldiers that occupied, suffered and died in the property. When the inn is quiet and no one is in the attic, the living are treated to a Jew's harp concert, played by an entity soldier still on duty in the attic. Footfalls are heard on the staircases, and heard pacing throughout the main floor. Employees have heard foot steps following them around as they tend to their duties. When they look behind them, no one is there. Invisible presences have been known to pay the living a visit, by sitting on their beds. Out of the corner of the eye, the living have seen apparitions, shadows moving. At night the living have seen in front of them shadows moving through the dining room.
In the restaurant, entities have been known to be rather rude and cheeky to the waitresses. On two occasions, both women were turned completely around by an invisible presence who had yanked hard on their apron strings. A commonly found spiritual presence, that runs between the tavern and the kitchen is that of the elderly female Matron. Down the hallway which runs between the tavern and the kitchen, A lifelike apparition of an older woman dressed in 1800s attire has been seen looking over the items stored on the shelves there. She disappeared without a trace. She has been spotted for many years but no one is sure who she is. Perhaps she is a former mistress or head housekeeper, maybe checking up on the supplies?
The Fransworth offers many diverse Ghostly Events. Check their website for details.They are also the home of Gettysburg's longest running ghost tour company. For over 20 years, the Farnsworth House has provided Gettysburg's original and exciting haunted tours.
ADDRESS
Farnsworth House Inn-Restaurant
401 Baltimore St
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone
(717) 334-8838
Email
farnsworthhousemarketing@comcast.net
Resources:
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