Tag: Jennie Wade
Christmas at the Jennie Wade House
November 8, 2021Visit the Jennie Wade House to see how they decorated for the holidays in 1863. Music, decorations, and unique gifts. Open Friday, December 3rd & 10th; Saturday, December 4th, 11th & 18th; and Sunday, December 5th, 12th & 19th and daily December 26th-31st.
A Civil War Christmas: The Only Civilian Death of the Gettysburg Battle
November 20, 2020
Jennie (Mary Virginia) Wade, a seamstress living in Gettysburg during the mid-19th century, pines for the love of her life, Johnston (Jack) Skelley, an Army soldier of 87th Pennsylvania. He is in Virginia fighting for the Union.
In July of 1863, the Confederate Army, led by Gen. Robert E. Lee of Northern Virginia, launches the Gettysburg Campaign, and the rages of war envelope the town. Civilians are caught between the battlefronts and forced inside to seek shelter in their basements.
Lesser-Known Gettysburg-Goers: Mary Wade
January 16, 2020
Some Gettysburg folks get all the fame; don’t you agree? Today, we want to touch on a couple of “background” characters who actually played a crucial role in the history of Gettysburg – specifically, the only civilian death in the Battle of Gettysburg.
Mama, Didn’t Mean to Make you Cry
Jennie Wade is famous, all right – but for all the wrong reasons. Jennie was 20 years old during the Battle of Gettysburg. She was busy baking bread for the soldiers fighting outside her door when a stray bullet found its way into the home, striking Jennie in the back and killing her instantly.
Jennie Wade-Orphan Combo Tour
February 20, 2015Ghostly Images of Gettysburg is proud to invite you to tour the buildings investigated by the Popular Network Shows “GHOST HUNTERS”, “GHOST LAB”, “GHOST ADVENTURES”, “HAUNTED HISTORY” AND “MOST HAUNTED LIVE”. A special tour taking you INSIDE The Jennie Wade House and The Haunted Orphanage will be offered SATURDAY NIGHTS January 17th through February 28th at 7 PM (weather permitting). Space is limited. Make ticket arrangements by contacting Gettysburg Battlefield Tours, 778 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325, (717) 334-6296 option #2 (9 AM – 3:30 PM) Cost: $15 (ages 8 and older). Any remaining tickets will be sold at Ghostly Images, 777 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325, (717) 334-1156 prior to tour. Tour has been cancelled for Saturday, February 21st. The last Combo Tour will be on Saturday, February 28th, 2015.
Who is Jennie Wade?
May 28, 2014Born Mary Virginia “Jennie” Wade, Jennie Wade worked as a seamstress with her mother during the Civil War era. Because of the pending war, Jennie, along with her brother and neighbor boy left their home on Breckenridge Street to go to her sisters as she felt it would be safer, and her mother was already there helping with her sister Georgia’s newborn.
Unfortunately this turned out to be a horrible mistake, as the Confederate forces moved into Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. Jennie’s family helped the Union soldiers by providing bread and water, and on a fateful July 3rd morning Jennie had just begun kneading a new batch of dough when she was hit by a Confederate soldier’s bullet which had pierced the house. The round traveled through Jennie’s shoulder and heart, and came to rest in her corset.
At just 20 years old, Jennie Wade became the only civilian casualty killed during the Battle of Gettysburg.
Learn more about Jennie Wade and the Jennie Wade House via the button at the top of the page, or in our “Quick Links” section to the left.
The Bullet that Killed Jennie
February 5, 2012Period attire isn’t the only new thing at Jennie Wade House—2012 brings a new display that features the bullet Jennie was shot with. This unique piece of history packs a tragic tale into a tiny ball of metal.
Also, look for exciting new souvenirs in the gift shop! Our inventory grows every day!