You've Seen The Battlefield. Now Explore The Town.

You've Seen The Battlefield. Now Explore The Town. - This is the slogan of the Gettysburg Town Guides.

Enhance Your Stay with Licensed Town Guide Tours

Are you looking for more than just a comfortable stay? At Battlefield Bed & Breakfast, we believe the stories surrounding our historic town are just as inviting as our plush pillows and homemade scones.

While planning your visit, consider adding a guided tour with one of the area's professional Gettysburg Licensed Town Guides. These expert guides aren't affiliated with our inn, but we highly recommend their services to elevate your experience. You can arrange a tour directly through their website at www.gbltg.com.

tours@gbltg.com : (717) 253-5737

Discover Our Town's Rich History

The Licensed Town Guides offer several specialized tours that showcase different aspects of our community's fascinating past:

The Battlefield Tour

Immerse yourself in military history as guides take you through the actual battlefield sites. Walk the same ground where soldiers once stood, see the strategic vantage points that determined the outcome, and hear personal stories of courage that have been carefully preserved through diaries and letters.

Historic District Walking Tour

Stroll through our beautifully preserved downtown area where your guide will point out architectural details you might otherwise miss. Learn about the families who built these structures, the businesses that once thrived here, and how the community evolved over centuries.

Cemetery Tour

More fascinating than macabre, the cemetery tour reveals the interconnected stories of prominent citizens, tragic tales, and the artistry of historic grave markers. Your guide will help you decipher the symbolism and meaning behind different monuments.

Custom Tours

If you have specific interests in local history, genealogy, architecture, or other aspects of our community, the guides can create a personalized experience tailored to your curiosity.

Expert Knowledge at Your Service

What makes these tours exceptional is the guides' comprehensive training and certification. Each Licensed Town Guide has completed extensive coursework in local history, architecture, and storytelling techniques. They bring primary source documents, historic photographs, and carefully researched anecdotes to enrich your understanding.

Perfect Complement to Your Stay

After a day of exploration with your Licensed Town Guide, return to the comfort of Battlefield Bed & Breakfast where you can reflect on your discoveries while relaxing in our gardens or enjoying evening refreshments by the fireplace. Many guests tell us that understanding the rich context of our town makes their stay infinitely more meaningful.

Book your room with us today and don't forget to schedule your tour with a Licensed Town Guide through www.gbltg.com to create a truly memorable visit.

Gettysburg Holiday House Tour 2024

Holiday decor and Christmas tree in the Solarium at Gettysburg’s Battlefield Bed & Breakfast

The Gettysburg Holiday House Tour 2026.

The dates and details of this event will be announced in the spring of 2025. Meanwhile, save the dates Dec 13 & 14. Look for the official announcement by the Adams County Historical Society later this year.

Announcement: The Gettysburg Holiday House Tour 2024 was an astounding success with over 300 tickets sold.

The Adams County Historical Society took over the Gettysburg Holiday House Tour starting in 2024. That means that more historic homes were on the tour this year, in addition to the traditional bed and breakfast inns of past years.

The Gettysburg Holiday House Tour expanded to two days, Saturday and Sunday, December 14 & 15, 2024.

On both days, the Adams County Historical Society was included in the tour.

Many of the properties offered Christmas treats like cookies, hors d’oeuvres, or cider.

Country Properties will featureD historic homes and inns in the country-side around Gettysburg, Cashtown, and Fairfield.

These properties were within 10 miles of downtown Gettysburg. Enjoy the beautiful Adams County orchards and woodlands while touring homes and inns. Each will be showing off Christmas trees and holiday décor.

There are several well-known wineries in the country-side that could become added stops on the tour.

In-town Properties will includED holiday theme decorations at in-town inns and homes

These homes and inns were in the immediate Gettysburg Borough or within 5 miles of Gettysburg. This is your chance to see the interiors of buildings you may have walked by for years. Of course, all the homes and inns will be showing off their holiday decorations.

1. Book a room at Battlefield Bed & Breakfast for the weekend.

2. Buy your tickets from the Adams County Historical Society. For updates, sign up for the ACHS newsletter.

3. Get in the holiday spirit with the Gettysburg Holiday House Tour.

Details about the homes on the tours and ticket sales for 2025 be coming soon. Please put a Save The Date on your calendar.

Ticket Sales from the Gettysburg Holiday House Tour support the Adams County Historical Society and the South Central Community Action Program (SCAPP).

SCAPP runs the local homeless shelter and food bank.

The new movie, “A Christmas In Gettysburg”, was shot on location around the town of Gettysburg. If you get a chance to see the movie before your visit, you may also enjoy tracking down the sites of your favorite scenes.

Book early to get a room at Battlefield Bed & Breakfast.

Florence's Festive Poached Pears

Florence’s Famous Maple-Poached Pears!

Bring the holiday spirit into your house with Florence’s Festive Poached Pears!

• 9 Whole Bosc Pears (firm)

• 1 cup Maple Syrup

• 1 cup Water

• 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350°.

Arrange pears standing up in a 10” glass pie pan.

Combine remaining ingredients and pour over pears, coating each fruit completely.

Bake pears for about 1 hour, while adding 1/4 cup of water to the syrup in the pan and then basting the fruit with the mixture every 15 minutes.

Pears are ready when they are golden brown and the flesh is soft.

As Florence says, “Easy peasy delicious!”

Birding in the Gettysburg Area

Start your birding in Battlefield Bed & Breakfast’s 30 acre nature preserve. Then explore the nearby Gettysburg National Military Park. The GNMP is a home to grassland birds due to the history of old-fashioned agricultural methods. Within Adams County, birds thrive in the parks and countryside.

Species Check-list for the Gettysburg National Military Park - This is a comprehensive list of all the species found in the park so enjoy the birds, but also, enjoy the mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and plants.

Gettysburg Galleries

One of our favorite activities when vacationing or touring is to visit local galleries. We recommend that you make time to explore the Gettysburg galleries during your visit. Be aware that Covid-19 restrictions may limit your access to art galleries so check ahead before you make your plans.

Lord Nelson’s Gallery

This gallery features original paintings of 18th Century America, nature, and animals. Artists include John Buxton, Dean Morrissey, Beverley Ford Evans, Robert Griffing, Doug Hall, Diane Hoeptner, Todd Price, Nick Serratore, Jonathan Stasko, Jason Tako, Bryant White, and John Weiss.

17 Chambersburg Street

Gallery 30

Stop in to immerse yourself in a wide variety of Pennsylvania crafts and fine art by local artists. Gallery 30 is known for a dazzling display of gourd art as well as sign art. The gallery’s fine art display features eleven local artists who work in a variety of media.

30 York Street

King James Gallery

This gallery is a showroom for limited edition prints and giclées. The artists featured include P. Buckley Moss, John Paul Strain, Mort Künstler, Rod Chase, and Tom Freeman.

15 Baltimore St

Lincoln Into Art

Artist Wendy Allen paints Abraham Lincoln. Her extraordinary interpretations have been displayed internationally.

329 Baltimore Street

Smucker Art Gallery

This is the art gallery belonging to Gettysburg College. The gallery displays 8-10 exhibits a year featuring national, international, and college artists as well as pieces from the gallery’s permanent exhibit.

300 N. Washington Street

Adams County Arts Council

This is Gettysburg’s community center for local artists of all abilities and stages of their artistic development. Teachers, students, and local artists may be featured in gallery displays. The Adams County Arts Council gives energy to Gettysburg’s wide-reaching art community.

125 S Washington St

Abolition - Equality - Justice

The Houghtelin family fought to abolish slavery. Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address stamped Gettysburg with the mission of equality for all. The Battlefield Bed & Breakfast continues the tradition of justice and equality by sharing with our guests the stories of this historic property and the people who are connected with it.

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." 1863

-Abraham Lincoln

Why does a bed and breakfast speak out about racial injustice?

We are committed to being an active member of our community, welcoming all guests and working towards justice in a community that prides itself as the site of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

To support our commitment, we have made some intentional changes at our inn.

Thoughtful Conversations About History

We have asked our historians to provide thoughtful background information on the Civil War to help our guests understand how we got to the place we are now. We encourage story sharing and conversation about these difficult topics.

The Farmhouse’s Abolitionist History:

Our inn was the home of abolitionists Cornelius and Anna Houghtelin.  By the time the Civil War happened, Cornelius had been working for at least three decades on abolition and the Underground Railroad. Cornelius associated with Thaddeus Stevens and other local prominent abolitionists, serving as the 1835 Vice President of the Gettysburg Antislavery Society. We named Houghtelin’s Hideaway and Anna’s Garden in their honor.

The Farmhouse’s Role in the Battle of Gettysburg:

The farmhouse was the headquarters for Brigadier General Wesley Merritt, who commanded cavalry here on the farm during the Battle of Gettysburg. This action took place during and after Pickett’s Charge on July 3, 1863. After the Civil War, Merritt was the first commander of the Buffalo Soldiers, the first black cavalry in the United States Army. The master suite of the original 1809 house is named General Merritt’s Suite.

Social Justice Focus

Our history programs will focus more on the social justice stories connected to our house, including some guest rooms that we have named in their honor.

Gettysburg Resident Lt. Col. William Baker Room:

We are honoring a Gettysburg resident, Lt. Col. William Baker, who did the research and took the initiative to do the hard work to exonerate the black soldiers who were wrongly accused in the Brownsville incident in 1906. Because of the work of Lt. Col. Baker, these soldiers were given honorable discharges in the 1970's. We have renamed the 7th Georgia Infantry room the “Lt. Col. William Baker” room.

Beneath the Falling Stars Room:

In 2017, Battlefield Bed & Breakfast hosted Constance Boudreau’s “Beneath the Falling Stars,” a commemorative ceremony honoring female combat soldier’s military honors. This remembrance brought attention to the female combat soldiers in the Civil War.

North Star Room:

“The North Star played a key role in helping southern slaves to find their way as they traveled under the cover of darkness—the North Star was a beacon to true north and freedom. Escaping slaves could find it by locating the Big Dipper and extending a straight line from the outermost star of the bowl of the “ladle.” The Big Dipper and North Star were referenced in many slave narratives and songs. Follow the Drinking Gourd was a popular African American folksong composed decades after the War and based on these anecdotes that memorialized the significance of these stars. We have renamed the Hart’s Artillery Room the “North Star” room.”

(Note: Text quoted from the National Parks Service: https://www.nps.gov/articles/drinkinggourd.htm)

To our black patrons and friends: Your lives matter.

#blm #blacklivesmatter #destinationgettysburg #battlefieldbedandbreakfast #visitpa

Stories of the House: The Steinway Piano

This morning, some wonderful guests were enjoying playing our Steinway piano, which they were surprised to find at a B&B and in such good shape. Their fresh eyes helped us slow down to enjoy the music and delve into another one of our Stories of the House.

Steinway Serial Number

Our Steinway Grand Piano #180984 was built in New York between 1916-1917. We can tell this because Steinway does an excellent job of helping people identify their pianos through their Serial Number Database.

The original serial number was probably on the cast iron plate between the tuning pins above the keyboard, however we can no longer read the number there. Luckily, the number is also stamped underneath the piano, towards the pedals.

While we don’t have a history of how the piano spent its early years, we know that it was purchased in California in the early 1960’s by the Coulson family when their daughter, your Innkeeper Florence March, needed a piano to continue her piano lessons at home. Her incredible piano teacher Donald Anthony helped the family find the right piano, which he insisted would be a Steinway.

The Steinway remained at Florence’s childhood home for many years, eventually finding a new home at her brother Eric’s house once his two boys were ready to learn piano. (Florence’s daughter Connie, also one of your innkeepers, threw far too many piano-lesson-related temper tantrums and quickly gave up on piano lessons, much to her adult-self’s chagrin!) Eric’s boys studied piano for several years, until they decided that they preferred violin. Once they switched instruments, Florence jumped at the opportunity to welcome the Steinway back into her life here in Gettysburg.

Three-thousand miles later, the piano arrived safely at Battlefield Bed & Breakfast. Upon its first tuning, the technician discovered massive amounts of legos, crayons, and other childhood objects hidden inside the piano, which dramatically affected the sound. Once cleared of its extra “gifts,” the music poured out freely and beautifully.

Now, a technician visits at least once per year to make sure the 100+ year old beauty is still playing to its full potential. This past year’s visit, the technician discovered over 20 poker chips stuffed into the keys by some young guests that continued the family tradition of finding nooks and crannies to hide treasures. While we enjoyed a nice laugh at the Steinway’s history as a secret spot for toys, we were so happy when it was freed up to return to its true sound.

Come play with us! We love it when guests take a turn tickling the ivories. The piano has also serenades brides walking down the aisle and accompanied countless songs as special events and parties.

If you would like to schedule a house concert, please consider this an open invitation! Call Florence at 717-334-8804 to schedule some music magic!

Recipe: Barbara's Favorite Snickerdoodles

Snickerdoodles

Simply delicious!

Enjoy this guest favorite at home!

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp. cream of tartar

• 1 tsp. baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

• 2 sticks butter, softened

• 1 1/4 cup sugar

• 2 eggs

• Cinnamon sugar (1/4 cup sugar and 1 Tbsp cinnamon and 1/8 tsp nutmeg)

Instructions

• Pre-heat oven to 375 F.

• Wisk together dry ingredients.
  

• In separate bowl or electric mixer, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy (up to 5 minutes).

• Beat in eggs one at a time.

• Mix in dry ingredients until just blended.

• Chill dough for about an hour. Note: we tend to skip this step.

• Roll dough into 1 1/2 inch balls.

• Roll balls in cinnamon sugar and space on baking sheet about 3 inches apart.

• Bake for about 12-15 minutes, until edges are lightly browned.

• Cool on rack.

• Enjoy!
  
  

Gettysburg: Carriage Rides on the Battlefield

Connect with nineteenth century life by taking a carriage ride on the Gettysburg Battlefield.

Feel the sway of the carriage and imagine how different the pace of life was when fast travel was limited by the speed of a horse or the path of a train track.

Smell the leather of the harness and the musk of the horses. Nineteenth Century life was rich with odors.

Share seats with friends and family as you pass the time enjoying passing nature and untampered fresh air. The Nineteenth Century had time for friends and family and a closeness with nature.

Tour the Battlefield by horse-drawn carriage

Two strong draft horses from the Victorian Carriage Company pull the wagon through the Gettysburg Battlefield

View Little Round Top from a horse-drawn carriage

Gettysburg: Nineteenth Century Thinkers

The Battle of Gettysburg happened in the midst of a Civil War .

To understand the context of the battle, read not only about the strategy and tactics of the Civil War, but also about the thinking of the time that propelled the country into war over slavery.

Some of the notable thinkers of the time who opposed slavery included President Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Walt Whitman, Frederick Douglas, Sojourner Truth, Ralph Waldo Emerson, William Lloyd Garrison, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Mark Twain.

Harriet Beecher Stowe House wallpaper with illustrations from Uncle Tom’s Cabin and poster for Uncle Tom’ Cabin play. Stowe’s writing stirred antislavery compassion before and during the Civil War.

Recipe: Nutty Peach Crisp (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Delicious)

Peach season is magical in Adams County, Pennsylvania. Enjoy the bounty with this fresh, fruity, guilt-free delight!

Nutty Peach Crisp with Oats, Almonds, and Pecans

(Vegan & Gluten-Free)

Nutty Peach Crisp with Oats, Almonds, and Pecans

(Vegan & Gluten-Free)

Peach Filling

• 8-10 fresh peaches, parboiled, peeled, and sliced (about 9-10 cups)

• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice

• 4 Tbsp maple syrup

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• 1/8 tsp nutmeg

• 2 tsp arrowroot (or cornstarch)

Crisp Topping

• 1 cup almond flour

• 1 cup rolled oats

• 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped

• 2 Tbsp maple syrup (or more, to taste)

• ½ tsp salt

• 4 Tbsp coconut oil

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 F.

• In large bowl, combine all peach filling ingredients and stir to coat peaches.

• Pour peach mixture into 9x13 baking dish and place it on a baking sheet to catch drips if fruit boils over. Cook peaches uncovered for 10 minutes.

• While peaches bake, whisk the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Add coconut oil and stir to combine until oil is evenly distributed. Taste to see if it’s sweet enough. If not, add 1 Tbsp at a time of maple syrup until it’s perfect.

• Pull fruit out of oven and sprinkle topping until it is evenly distributed.

• Bake until fruit is bubbling and crisp is golden brown, usually about 30-40 minutes.

Gettysburg: July 3 The Anniversary of the South Cavalry Battlefield Conflict at Battlefield Bed & Breakfast

On July 3, we are commemorate the Gettysburg Civil War Cavalry Battle on our farm here at Battlefield Bed & Breakfast. We are on the South Cavalry Battlefield. The fighting on our property occurred during and slightly after Pickett’s Charge, (also known as Longstreet’s Assault) The battle on our property was Union Cavalry against Confederate infantry.

Image what the farm residents, abolutionists Cornelius and Anna Houghtelin, must have seen

Because the fighting here lasted longer than the infantry charge called Pickett’s charge, our property may have had the last gunshot of the Battle of Gettysburg, 162 years ago on this day, July 3.

The Houghtelin Farmhouse on the South Cavalry Battlefield in Gettysburg, PA.

Innkeeper Life: Fireflies in Gettysburg

If you want to feel the real magic of Gettysburg, come at the end of June or the beginning of July for firefly season. As the sun sets, the seas of rich grass start to sparkle, first a few twinkles, and then as those twinkles are answered by distant firefly friends, the twinkles start to rise into the air and climb into the trees. As darkness falls, the Battlefield and for us, the grounds of Battlefield Bed & Breakfast, come alive as the trees turn into lighted fantasies of magic lights.

Our 30 acres are preserved as a wildlife habitat. We haven’t used any kinds of toxic sprays on our land for 25 years. The fireflies are a wonderful and wild expression of the best of Mother Nature. Come enjoy!

Innkeeper Life: Dressing for Gettysburg in June

Expect almost anything but cold weather! June has beautiful days for hiking with blue sky and refreshing breezes. Some days are starting to get into the 80’s with humidity to match.

Sudden thunderstorms that might drop the temperature a wind-whipped 20 degrees for an hour or two. Then the sun may suddenly reappear.

You should bring a light wrap, but you may not need it. Prepare for rain, but expect a lot of good weather.

The evenings are starting to be warm. By June, the fireflies are out. You may enjoy time by the firepit or by the deck fireplace. You still may want a light wrap some evenings.

For shoes, you want something that can tolerate water and a muddy path so you can hike the Battlefield.

Bring bug spray for a few mosquitos and quite a few ticks.

Relax on our patio or deck with a cool drink and enjoy spring in Gettysburg.

View fullsize

Recipe: Cloud Eggs

Experience the magic of Battlefield B&B’s newest savory entrée:,

Cloud Eggs!

Ingredients (per person)

• 2 eggs

• ¼ cup sharp cheddar, grated

• 1 teaspoon chives, chopped

• Olive oil, for baking sheet

• Salt & pepper, to taste

Yolks waiting for clouds.

Directions

Shape fluffy whites into clouds.

• Preheat oven to 475° F.

• Grease baking sheet with a thin layer of oil.

• Separate eggs, keeping yolks intact.

• Beat egg whites to stiff peaks.

• Fold in cheddar and chives.

• Drop whites into cloud shapes on baking sheet.

• Use the back of a spoon to create an indentation in the top of the cloud.

After whites have set, pull them out and drop yolks into indentations.

• Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

• Bake eggs for 3 minutes.

• Pull out eggs and place one yolk in the indentation atop each cloud.

• Bake for another 4-5 minutes, until cheese is browned and the top of the yolk is soft set.

Eggs are finished when whites are toasted and yolks are soft-set.

• Bake for another 4-5 minutes, until cheese is browned and the top of the yolk is soft set.

• Serve immediately because they fall quickly.