Confederates Take the Shriver House!
The Fourth Day of the Battle of Gettysburg - the Aftermath
"Civilians Caught In The Crossfire"
On Saturday, July 1, from 5 to 9 pm, the Shriver House Museum will reenact the Battle of Gettysburg from a very different perspective - through the eyes of one family who endured so much. It’s the story of an ordinary family caught up in extraordinary circumstances. The home of George and Hettie Shriver was commandeered by Confederate sharpshooters during the battle and eyewitnesses confirm Confederate snipers were shot and killed inside the house during the battle.
The Battle of Gettysburg was a terrifying experience for the residents of this historic town. But it was the end of the battle that was truly the beginning of a nightmare for people who had never been exposed to the incredible horrors of war. More than 170,000 Union and Confederate soldiers converged on the town in July 1863. Approximately 70,000 of those soldiers were Confederates which, no doubt, was frightening for the citizens of this Union town. One resident stated the Confederates “went from the garret to the cellar, loading up the plunder.” Another citizen recounted how the invaders “tried to see how much damage they could do.” Step back in time to understand what the battle was like before, during, and after the Battle of Gettysburg.
Living historians bring the Shrivers’ story to life:
- Listen to Hettie Shriver and her neighbors discuss the possible invasion
- Stand just feet from Confederate sharpshooters as they fire muskets from the authentic sharpshooters nest in the sweltering attic
- See beautiful rooms ransacked by the invading forces
- At the conclusion of the tour enjoy a cold refreshment in George Shriver’s Saloon
- Write a postcard to a soldier at the Ladies’ Aid Society booth
- Meet Adam Shefts, the Victorian Historian, and author of numerous books on Victorian life
- Talk to doctors and nurses and they tend to wounded soldiers.
This is the only Civil War reenactment to take place in the house where it truly happened in July 1863.
Reservations required.
Admission: $15/adult; $12/children 5-12
For more information, call the Shriver House Museum at 717-337-2800.
The Battle of Gettysburg was a terrifying experience for the residents of this historic town. But it was the end of the battle that was truly the beginning of a nightmare for people who had never been exposed to the incredible horrors of war. More than 170,000 Union and Confederate soldiers converged on the town in July 1863. Approximately 70,000 of those soldiers were Confederates which, no doubt, was frightening for the citizens of this Union town. One resident stated the Confederates “went from the garret to the cellar, loading up the plunder.” Another citizen recounted how the invaders “tried to see how much damage they could do.” Step back in time to understand what the battle was like before, during, and after the Battle of Gettysburg.
Living historians bring the Shrivers’ story to life:
- Listen to Hettie Shriver and her neighbors discuss the possible invasion
- Stand just feet from Confederate sharpshooters as they fire muskets from the authentic sharpshooters nest in the sweltering attic
- See beautiful rooms ransacked by the invading forces
- At the conclusion of the tour enjoy a cold refreshment in George Shriver’s Saloon
- Write a postcard to a soldier at the Ladies’ Aid Society booth
- Meet Adam Shefts, the Victorian Historian, and author of numerous books on Victorian life
- Talk to doctors and nurses and they tend to wounded soldiers.
This is the only Civil War reenactment to take place in the house where it truly happened in July 1863.
Reservations required.
Admission: $15/adult; $12/children 5-12
For more information, call the Shriver House Museum at 717-337-2800.