Jennie Wade Birthplace, Gettysburg, PA
What was once a modest home became a national treasure, becoming a landmark that holds a poignant piece of history. Standing tall on Baltimore street in historic Gettysburg, this modest 19th-century home was the birthplace of Mary Virginia “Jennie” Wade, a quiet, duty-bound young woman whose tragic death during the Battle of Gettysburg would etch her name into American history. Though small in stature, this preserved weatherboard house tells a story of sacrifice, sorrow, and lingering spirits.
It was here that a stray Confederate bullet pierced the door and struck her in the back, killing her instantly. Just 20 years old, Jennie became the only confirmed civilian casualty of the Battle of Gettysburg, and is said to have returned to the home where her life began.
A Home Marked by History
While most Civil War landmarks focus on generals, strategy, and battlefields, the Jennie Wade Birthplace offers something different: a personal, civilian perspective. The house itself is largely unchanged since the mid-1800s, with original floors, walls, and furnishings that give visitors a sense of the daily life Jennie once lived.
The home is filled with period-accurate artifacts and exhibits that detail Jennie’s upbringing, her family’s struggles, and the wider context of civilian life in a war-torn town. Her birth house, along with the Jennie Wade House where she was killed, form a pair of historic landmarks that bridge the gap between public memory and personal sacrifice.
But there’s more to this house than just preserved artifacts. Over the years, reports of unexplained activity have given rise to the belief that the Jennie Wade Birthplace is haunted—and Jennie may not be the only spirit to inhabit the historic home.
Lingering Spirits
Accounts of ghostly phenomena at the Jennie Wade birth house span decades and come from visitors, caretakers, and paranormal investigators alike. Some claim to have seen shadowy figures moving through the home; others have heard disembodied voices or witnessed objects being moved without explanation. No matter the source, there are a few particular hauntings that appear to be the most common.
One of the earliest and most persistent claims centers on a set of mysterious scratches that repeatedly appeared on an upstairs bedroom wall. The homeowner repaired them multiple times, only for the scratches to reappear. After the third attempt, they vanished completely. Some theorize these marks may be connected to Jennie’s father, James Wade, whose deteriorating mental state led to his confinement in an asylum. Census records from 1860 list him as “very insane,” and visitors to the home have reported cold spots, a heavy atmosphere, and feelings of anxiety—especially in that room.
There have also been multiple sightings of a ghostly Civil War soldier pacing the ground floor, often during storms or late at night. During the home’s time as a bed and breakfast, a guest reported waking to find a man sitting at the end of the bed—only to discover her husband had been asleep beside her the entire night. It’s unclear who this soldier is, though some speculate it could be James Wade in uniform, forever patrolling a home he feels he failed to protect.
Guests have reported hearing the sounds of children laughing or running up the stairs. These may be residual hauntings—echoes of Jennie and Virginia’s happier childhood days. Others have claimed to hear the cries of a baby at night. Historical records confirm that Jennie’s baby sister, Martha Margaret, died in the house in 1849 at just four months old, likely from illness.
Some of the most emotionally charged activity in the house is believed to involve Jennie and her fiancé, Jack Skelly. Visitors have heard male voices whispering outside Jennie’s old bedroom door, and paranormal equipment has captured messages like “MINE” and “LEAVE.” Male guests often report nausea, headaches, or even being scratched when approaching the room. Some believe Jack’s spirit lingers here, guarding Jennie even in death—perhaps even from her troubled father. Others report hearing quiet conversations or laughter when the house is otherwise empty, as if Jennie and Jack have finally found peace together in the afterlife.
A Lasting Legacy
Today, the Jennie Wade Birth House serves as both a historic landmark and a place of reflection. It’s not only an opportunity to learn about Jennie’s life and the tragedy that befell her but also to explore how ordinary civilians were affected by one of the most pivotal battles in American history.
The hauntings at the Jennie Wade Birthplace have only deepened public interest in the house. They offer a new dimension to Jennie’s story, one that blends history with the unexplained. For many, walking through the home is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that takes them on a journey into the past. For others, it’s the chance to make contact with the past itself, with some leaving with more questions than answers.
But nearly everyone agrees: a visit to the Jennie Wade Birthplace is truly unforgettable.
