Lancaster Civil War Round Table

11/24/2025

The 1776 Dobbin House and the 1776 United States of America share revolutionary roots! Both were born in a climate of resistance to oppression, shaped by pioneers and revolutionaries determined to build a society rooted in liberty. Both embody the spirit of the frontier and the ideals of faith and independence- and in 2026, both will celebrate their 250th birthday.
Together, these shared anniversaries represent the intertwined legacy of local and national revolution: one a stone structure that sheltered freedom seekers; the other a political framework that declared freedom for thirteen colonies.
We proudly invite guests to step inside the 18th century when entering the Dobbin House. Within, you can sit awhile and drink in the history of the sturdy stone walls that have borne witness to America’s struggles for freedom across centuries, including the American Revolution and the Civil War’s Battle of Gettysburg. Here, the colonial ambiance reflects who we were, affirms pride in who we are, and inspires a vision of who we strive to be.
Having watched Ken Burn’s American Revolution and Civil War series, we hope all who visit here develop a sense of bonding with Rev. Dobbin and the other settlers and soldiers who came before us and come away feeling that Gettysburg and the Dobbin House are a part of your own story and history.

11/22/2025

11/22/2025

11/22/2025

11/18/2025

Today we removed a post-Civil War staircase inside the Hopkins House, exposing more of the original log walls! A smaller, period-correct stair will be added later. Stay tuned for updates as we transform the site back to the 1860s and work to establish Gettysburg's new Black History museum!

11/18/2025

Not Civil War but it is history and Gettysburg. Thought you’d like to know.

11/17/2025

11/07/2025

Many of the houses on the south side of Gettysburg were used by Confederate sharpshooters to harass Union soldiers on Cemetery Hill, especially officers. The Union men returned musket fire at the Confederates in the windows leaving many homes peppered with pock marks from the bullets. The bullet scarred Farnsworth House is a prime example of the intensity of the rifle fire going both ways. However, there is one house that is outlier from other battle-damaged buildings in town. That is the Jacob Stock house on South Washington Street. The south side of that house was not only peppered with musket ball strikes but was also struck with several artillery rounds completely blowing out a section of the house near the sharpshooters' window. Unfortunately, there are no first-hand accounts of why this is one of the only houses targeted by artillery. Although pure speculation, it may be that the sharpshooters in this location were particularly effective firing on Cemetery Hill. Whatever the reason, the house was struck several times by artillery resulting in the large holes seen in the top photo below. In the modern Google view on the bottom, you see the damage from the artillery was repaired, but the bullet scars remain to this day.

Contributed by Greg Ainsworth

11/03/2025

Pictured here is Gertie Davis, the only known child of abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Believed to have been adopted in 1874, when Tubman was in her 50s and living on a farm in Auburn, New York, Gertie otherwise left a scant historical record. In the 1880 census, Gertie is listed as being four years old, from New York, and the "Ad[opted] Daughter" of Harriet Tubman and Nelson Davis. As an adult, she reportedly married a man with the last name of "Watson," but it's not clear what happened to her after that. But while much of Gertie Davis' life remains a mystery, what we do know provides a fascinating new perspective on the life of her famous mother

(story in cmt)

11/01/2025