More than 100 bullet holes still pepper the brick wall of this inn. The owners left them exposed on purpose during a restoration in the 1970s.
That would be enough history for most hotels. This one also claims 16 spirits, each with a name and a personality, including a young boy named Jeremy.
I like how this Pennsylvania inn doesn’t hide from its past. It serves Civil War-era dinners by candlelight, sends guests up into the attic with ghost-hunting gear, and then offers a full breakfast in the morning.
I can’t imagine a better place to spend October. You get real history, real atmosphere, and a decent chance of hearing footsteps in an empty hallway. A night here sounds like the kind of Halloween experience you’d be talking about for years.
1. Those Bullet Holes On The Wall Are The Real Deal
Few hotels can point to their own walls as proof of history.
The Historic Farnsworth House Inn can, and it does so proudly.
More than 100 bullet holes remain visible on the south side of its brick facade.
The story starts long before the battle.
John McFarlane built the original stone section in 1810.
A brick addition followed in 1833, giving the house the shape you see today.
By the summer of 1863, Harvey Sweney owned the home.
He had bought it in 1852.
From July 1 through July 3, Confederate sharpshooters took over the garret, which is the attic space up top.
Union soldiers fired back, and the brick took the hits.
Those marks were later covered up over time.
Loring and Jean Shultz bought the property in 1972 and restored it to its 1863 look.
During that work, they exposed the old bullet holes again.
Smart move.
Now guests can stand outside and trace the battle with their own eyes.
Take a slow walk along that south wall before you check in.
It sets the mood better than any Halloween decoration ever could.
It’s also a sobering reminder of what happened here.
2. Meet The Sixteen Housemates Who Never Check Out
Sixteen spirits.
That is the number the Shultz family gives for the unseen residents of the Farnsworth House Inn.
Each one reportedly has its own name and personality.
The family was the first to report paranormal activity here.
Their roster includes several soldiers, a former midwife, and an 8-year-old boy named Jeremy.
That’s a full house, even before the paying guests arrive.
The reported activity sounds straight out of a campfire story.
People describe footsteps in empty rooms, heavy breathing, and the smell of cigars.
Some say mattresses have dipped as if someone sat down on the bed.
One detail stands out from the rest.
A Jew’s harp is said to play in the empty attic late at night.
The sound gets linked to a young soldier.
Then there’s the midwife.
She’s often connected to the Sara Black Room, where guests report being tucked into bed by an invisible helper.
Thoughtful, if a little unsettling.
The owners say you don’t need to go hunting for ghosts.
They believe the spirits will introduce themselves when they’re ready.
During Halloween week in Pennsylvania, that promise feels extra fitting.
3. Grab The Ghost Gear And Head Upstairs
Gettysburg’s longest-running ghost tour company happens to live right inside this inn.
That makes the Farnsworth House Inn a natural home base for anyone chasing chills this October.
Beginners should look at the Mini Paranormal Night.
It runs about two hours; check with the inn to confirm whether ghost-hunting equipment is provided or guests must bring their own.
You’ll explore the garret, the cellar, and outdoor areas of the property.
Serious investigators can step it up with the full Paranormal Night.
That one stretches to four hours for small groups.
You get more access, and you can bring your own gear.
I love that there’s a level for everyone.
Curious first-timers don’t have to commit to a whole night in the dark.
Die-hard hunters, meanwhile, get room to work.
Remember that garret is the same space where sharpshooters hid in 1863.
Sitting up there with a flashlight and a meter feels very different once you know that.
The history does half the spooking for you.
Tours come with an extra fee beyond your room.
October is a popular time in town, so booking early makes sense.
Bring a jacket, charge your phone, and keep your ears open.
4. A Walking Tour That Ends Somewhere You Won’t Expect
Victorian mourning customs were wonderfully strange.
The Tormented and Lost Souls Tour leans right into them, and it’s a clever choice for a Halloween evening.
This walking tour explores 19th-century life and the rituals people followed after a loss.
It’s history with a shiver built in.
You’ll learn how families in that era handled grief at home.
The finale is the best part.
The tour wraps up in the inn’s cellar, a spot many consider the most haunted corner of the house.
Not a bad place to end a spooky story.
If you’d rather keep things lighter, try a historic house tour instead.
Guides lead groups into the garret where sharpshooters once waited.
You’ll also see the cellar, which has been turned into a Victorian Viewing Parlor.
These tours suit history fans who aren’t sure about ghosts.
You get facts, dates, and real stories.
The creepy feelings are just a bonus.
Here’s a friendly tip for October.
Pair a tour with dinner on the same night for a full evening.
Then you can head upstairs to bed with plenty to think about, or plenty to worry about.
5. Pumpkin Fritters Make October Taste Even Better
Game Pie stuffed with turkey, duck, and pheasant is not something you find on most hotel menus.
At the Meade and Lee Fine Dining Rooms, it’s a house specialty.
Dinner here is designed as a Civil War period experience.
Servers wear period clothing.
The menu sticks to Pennsylvania Dutch dishes and traditional fare from that era.
The specialties read like a delicious history lesson.
Look for Peanut Soup, Spoon Bread, and the famous Pumpkin Fritters.
Steak and seafood are also on the menu for less adventurous eaters.
Pumpkin Fritters in October just feels right.
Ordering them during Halloween season is basically mandatory.
Okay, not really, but you’ll want them.
The dining rooms serve dinner Thursday through Sunday, from 5 to 8 in the evening.
Reservations are recommended, and that advice matters more during a busy fall weekend.
Plan ahead so you’re not stuck staring through the window.
The dining has earned recognition too.
It’s AAA recommended and has been reviewed by Bon Appetit magazine.
That’s solid praise for a place better known for its ghosts.
Candlelight, costumes, and old recipes make a memorable evening.
It’s dinner and a time machine in one booking.
6. Lunch, Little Ones, And Even Your Dog Have A Spot Here
Not every meal needs candlelight and a costume.
Sweney’s Tavern offers a laid-back alternative, and it carries the name of the family who owned the house in 1863.
The tavern serves lighter fare with a Pennsylvania Dutch twist.
It’s family-friendly and has a children’s menu, which is great news for parents.
Hours run daily from 11 in the morning to 9 at night.
That daily schedule makes it handy during a busy trip.
You can grab lunch between battlefield stops.
Then you can come back later without rearranging your whole day.
Outside, the open-air garden offers another casual option.
It has a heated patio, which is a gift on a chilly October afternoon.
Pennsylvania fall weather can turn quickly, after all.
Dog owners, this part’s for you.
The outdoor garden is dog-friendly and even offers a dog menu.
Your pup gets a treat while you soak in the scenery.
The garden area is open Thursday through Sunday, from 11 to 9.
It’s closed Monday through Wednesday, so plan accordingly.
Pets can’t stay overnight in the rooms, though service animals are welcome.
7. Every Bedroom Comes With A Name And A Story
Twelve rooms.
Twelve names tied to the past.
That’s the lodging setup at the Historic Farnsworth House Inn.
Each Victorian room honors a person or family connected to the house or the Battle of Gettysburg.
Rooms are spread across the main house, garden buildings, and a cottage next to an antique shop.
Some feature four-poster beds.
Period decor sets the tone throughout.
You’ll still find modern comforts, though.
Some rooms include upgraded bathrooms and flat-screen TVs.
Free WiFi and free on-site parking come with your stay.
That parking perk is worth a lot in a busy historic downtown.
One less thing to stress about.
Check-in runs from 3 to 5 in the afternoon.
Check-out is by 11 in the morning.
Plan your arrival so you’re not racing the clock.
Want the spookiest pick?
The Sara Black Room is tied to the ghostly midwife story.
Jeremy’s Room carries a name you already know from the spirit roster.
Picking a room becomes half the fun.
Do you go for comfort, for history, or for a possible bedtime visitor?
Choose wisely for Halloween night.
8. Your Morning Starts With A Hot Breakfast Downstairs
Surviving a night in a famously haunted inn deserves a reward.
Luckily, every overnight stay at the Farnsworth House Inn includes a full breakfast.
Breakfast is served in the dining room, the same historic space used for candlelit dinners.
Morning light makes the room feel far less mysterious.
That’s a welcome change after a night of creaky floorboards.
A filling meal matters on a Gettysburg trip.
You’ll probably spend the day walking battlefields, museums, and downtown streets.
Starting with a real breakfast keeps you going longer.
Breakfast is also a great time to compare notes.
Did anyone hear footsteps?
Did the bed dip, or was that just your imagination?
I believe a shared table is part of the charm of a bed and breakfast.
You’re surrounded by people who chose the same unusual adventure.
Conversation tends to come easily.
Try to arrive on time so you don’t feel rushed.
Check-out comes at 11, and you’ll want time to pack.
Grab a last look around the house before you head out for the day.
9. Step Outside And History Is Waiting On Every Block
President Abraham Lincoln’s procession rolled right past this house on November 19, 1863.
He was heading to the National Cemetery to deliver the Gettysburg Address.
You’ll find the inn at 401 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325.
The location puts you in the middle of the action.
The Shriver House Museum sits just one block away.
Gettysburg National Military Park is about 1.1 miles from the front door.
That’s close enough for an easy trip after breakfast.
You can be standing on famous ground within minutes.
The house itself carries more history than just bullets and ghosts.
After the battle, it served as a field hospital for wounded soldiers from both sides.
Later, it was renamed for Brigadier General Elon J.
Farnsworth, who led a cavalry charge nearby.
The property also features a Civil War camp, a gift shop, a bookshop, and an art gallery.
It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
USA Today has named it a top haunted hotel.
Four generations of the Shultz family keep it running today.
Few places in Pennsylvania offer this much history on one street corner.
Halloween here feels earned.
Share this story
