NO. 548 Jennie Wade House

The Jennie Wade House, located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is a historic home turned museum that has a long and haunted history. The house is named after Mary Virginia “Jennie” Wade, the only civilian killed during the Battle of Gettysburg, who was also a resident of the house.

Built in 1832, the Jennie Wade House was originally a two-story brick home owned by Jennie’s sister, Georgia McClellan. During the Civil War, the house was located just a few blocks away from the battlefield, and it quickly became a refuge for wounded soldiers.

The morning of July 3rd 1863, Jennie and her mother were making bread to bring to Union Soldiers. While in the kitchen, Confederate soldiers began firing on the North side of the house, which was hit by over 150 bullets. One such bullet, a Minié ball, passed through two doors and struck Jennie in the shoulder, penetrating her heart and finally coming to rest in her corset, ending her life at approximately 8:30AM. The house still has the bullet hole in the door and a red stain where Jennie fell.  

Staff and visitors have seen Jennie walking about the house, most frequently in the kitchen. There have also been reports of soldiers in the home and on the grounds nearby. Jennie’s fiancé Jack Skully died after being wounded in the war July 12th, never knowing of Jennie’s fate. Many say she is waiting for him to come home.

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