National Homestead at Gettysburg facts for kids

Ulysses S. Grant with the boys and girls at National Homestead orphanage, June 21, 1867

Portrait of Frank, Frederick, and Alice Humiston, children of Sergeant Amos Humiston of Co. C, 154th New York Infantry Regiment, who died at the Battle of Gettysburg with the photograph in his hands.

The National Homestead at Gettysburg was a special place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It was also known as the Gettysburg Orphanage. This home opened in October 1866. It was built to help children who had lost their parents. It also helped widows. The homestead was located at 777 Baltimore Street, near the famous Gettysburg Battlefield.

History of the Gettysburg Orphanage

The Gettysburg Orphanage was created by Dr. John F. Bourns. He started raising money after a sad discovery. Children of a soldier who died in the Battle of Gettysburg were identified. These were the children of Amos Humiston. People wanted to help families affected by the war.

Helping Children in Need

In 1867, a very important person visited the orphanage. Ulysses S. Grant, who would later become president, was photographed with the children. This showed how important the orphanage was. A special law in Pennsylvania in 1870 helped fund the home. This meant it had money to keep running.

A Difficult Time at the Home

At first, the orphanage was a happy place. But things changed when Rosa J. Carmichael became the new leader. She was very strict. Stories say she even created a small, dark room. This room was used to discipline children. These stories made the homestead well-known.

Becoming a Museum

Later, the orphanage building became the Soldiers National Museum. An actor named Cliff Arquette once owned it. He used to give tours of the building. He especially talked about the strict discipline room. The museum was a popular place for visitors. However, the museum closed to the public in November 2014.

Hauntings and Ghost Stories

The old homestead also became a popular spot for people interested in ghosts. Many paranormal investigators visited to go ghost hunting. In 2011, the Ghost Adventures TV show crew spent a night there. They tried to talk to ghosts in the basement. The building was also shown on the TV series Most Terrifying Places. This show aired on the Travel Channel in 2019.