The Welty House will soon unveil its first historical markers to commemorate the impact of the Battle of Gettysburg on the surrounding community and the country as a whole. The ceremony will take place on July 3, 2023, which marks the 160th anniversary of the battle, at 452 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA, on the final day of the battle at 11 a.m. The house was a site of gruesome fighting during the battle and provided shelter to families fleeing the conflict. Confederate soldiers also used the home as a sharpshooter position. After the battle, the property served as a temporary burial ground for 38 Union and Confederate soldiers.
At the ceremony, the founder and president of US Ghost Adventures, Lance Zaal, will unveil two new historic landmark signs. The first sign will proclaim the house as an official historic landmark, while the second sign will feature a letter from John Rupp to his sister detailing how he and his family took shelter in the Welty House basement during the battle. The event is open to the public and will include refreshments, brief remarks, and the unveiling of the signs. Guests will also have the opportunity to view the basement, which will be open to the public for a limited time following the event.
“The Battle of Gettysburg is such an important event in American History, and it is our honor to commemorate the Welty House with these new historic markers,” said Zaal. “Our goal is to showcase the history of the house and farm, as well as honor the Welty Family, the Rupps, and the soldiers who lost their lives in the horrific battle. The Welty House and its story will now finally take its place among other landmarks in Gettysburg.”
During the first two days of the battle, the farmland and house located at the bottom of Cemetery Hill were heavily contested. The Union artillery nearly destroyed the house, but they were ordered not to because there may have been civilians seeking shelter inside with Confederate sharpshooters. President Abraham Lincoln rode by the Welty House a few months after the battle while on his way to deliver his Gettysburg Address, which was captured in a photograph and is now displayed in the house.
If you’re interested in staying at the Welty House, it’s open year-round for overnight stays that can be booked through Brickhouse Inn. For those looking for a more thrilling experience, US Ghost Adventures offers ghost tours in Gettysburg and ghost hunts in the basement of the Welty House and the surrounding property. Junket, which is the sister company of US Ghost Adventures, provides additional daytime experiences in Gettysburg, including the Gettysburg Battlefield Tour and Gettysburg Brew Tour.
