Vacation Rentals Available On America’s Bloodiest Battlefield
Stay Where History Was Made: The Past Will Come ‘Alive’ When you Rent A House On The Gettysburg Battlefield
As a lifelong Gettysburg resident, one of the main questions I get asked is if it’s possible to rent a house on the Gettysburg Battlefield. Well, now you can!
Two historic homes have been opened up by the Gettysburg National Military Park (NMP), so visitors can spend the night on the Gettysburg Battlefield.
This is an amazing way to truly immerse yourself in the history of Gettysburg and feel like you are stepping back in time!
I’ll try to answer all your questions so you can be the first in line to rent a house on the Gettysburg Battlefield.
If you don’t have time to read the whole post, here’s how to rent a house on the Gettysburg Battlefield.
👉 Go to the Gettysburg Lodging page and pick the house you want to rent on the battlefield.
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Before we dive into this post, I invite you to grab a copy of my TRAVEL PLANNER. This 16-page PDF guide helps you organize your trip, from what to pack, to preparing a budget and keeping a schedule.
What Houses Can Be Rented On The Battlefield?
The two historic homes that can be rented on the Gettysburg battlefield are the Michael Bushman and the John Slyder houses.
Both houses witnessed the Battle of Gettysburg throughout the bloody day of July 2, 1863, and hold a rich history before and after the battle.
In fact, the Bushman farm served as staging ground for Confederate General John Bell Hood’s attack and the Slyder farm was used as a defensive position for Union sharpshooters.
You can’t get much closer to history than that!
History Of The Bushman House
The stone, two-story Bushman House was restored in 2017 and can be rented any time of year.
The house is set back from the road and sits near some of the most famous historical landmarks in Gettysburg, like Little Round Top and Devil’s Den. It’s about three miles from downtown Gettysburg.
Built in 1808, the Michael Bushman Farm stands along the Emmitsburg Road, and served as a staging ground for Confederate General John Bell Hood’s attack on July 2.
Sophia Hammer, the original owner of the farm, deeded the property to her daughter Amelia, and added Reverend Michael Bushman into her will when he married Amelia in 1834.
Michael and Amelia added a brick addition and a smokehouse just before 1860. Like many of the families south of town, they fled their home during the battle.
On July 2, General Hood sent his men through the Bushman property to attack Little Round Top and Devil’s Den. The barn became one of the primary aide stations on July 2 and 3 for Hood’s men.
When they returned to their farm, Michael and Amelia found their home had been looted and eight Confederate soldiers were buried next to the barn.
The best way to tour the Battlefield is by horseback. Book a tour today!
Amelia passed away in 1875 and Michael remarried in 1878 to Louisa Rupp.
When Michael passed away 15 years later, he left Louisa in a predicament. Since he had never updated his will to include Louisa, which left her homeless.
The home was sold to the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association in 1894, and later transferred to the National Park Service in 1933.
Bushman House Location: The Bushman House is located at 30 S Confederate, which is approximately 3 miles south of Gettysburg.
Bring The Family: Details Of The House
The Bushman House includes three bedrooms, including a first-floor master bedroom. The kitchen comes fully-equipped with dishes, utensils, Kurieg coffee maker, stove, microwave, dishwasher and refrigerator.
There is also a dining room and separate sitting room, as well as 1.5 baths.
Central heating and air conditioning provide comfort year-round. Bed linens, sheets, pillows, and a limited supply of towels are available. Dish soap and dishwasher detergent are also provided.
Just pack your bags and get ready to spend your time in Gettysburg immersed in the past!
Book Your Gettysburg Battlefield Tour! They Sell Out Early.
How Much Does It Cost To Stay At The Bushman House?
From May through October, the cost to rent the house on the Gettysburg battlefield is $400/night plus a $250 security deposit. The deposit will be returned within 10 days after inspection of the property, if no damage is reported.
How Do I Make Reservations For The Bushman House?
You can make reservations for the Bush House by filling out the form.
After completing your reservation, you will be contacted by the National Park Service to sign a Short Term Lease Agreement.
You will then be sent a keycode to access the historic Bushman House. Please note, a security deposit of $250 is included in your reservation fee.
History Of The Slyder House
One of the more well known farms on the battlefield is the John Slyder farm located at the base of Big Round Top.
Soldiers from both the North and the South moved through the farm on July 2, 1863, forever changing this-88 acre farm.
The fences and stone walls built by the Slyder family became defensive works for Union sharpshooters and obstacles for Confederate troops to overcome as they made their assault toward the Round Tops.
The stone house that is available to rent on the battlefield was built by John Slyder in 1852. Several barns and outbuildings were added to the property, including a blacksmith shop, which was John’s trade.
In addition to horses, milk cows, cattle, swine, chickens, and an orchard, the Slyders also owned a large timber supply on the slopes of Big Round Top.
Like all those who owned property on the Gettysburg battlefield the Slyders returned to destruction. Their farm had been devastated, their food was gone and the well had run dry. They submitted claims to the U.S. government for battle damage but received nothing.
In 1992, during the filming for the movie Gettysburg, this farm was used as the backdrop for Robert E. Lee’s headquarters.
Details Of The Historic Slyder House
The Slyder Farmhouse has a large loft bedroom with 2 queen beds and 1 bathroom.
The second floor is open and spacious, and features a main bed and a murphy bed to sleep a total of four individuals. The main bed has an antique headboard and is flanked by two side tables and lamps.
A walk-in closet and luggage racks provide space for visitors to place their belongings.
The upstairs sleeping quarters features a murphy bed that can sleep two additional people. Bedding for this space can be found in the walk-in closet as well as the chest along the banister.
Take a scenic Culp’s Hill Carriage Ride.
The fully-equipped eat-in kitchen is supplied with dishes, utensils, Keurig coffee maker, stove, microwave, dishwasher and refrigerator. There is also a sitting room.
Central heating and air conditioning means you can stay any time of year.
Bed linens, sheets, pillows, and a limited supply of towels are available. Dish soap and dishwasher detergent are also provided.
How Much Does It Cost To Stay At The Slyder House?
From May through October, the cost to rent the house on the Gettysburg battlefield is $200/night plus a $250 security deposit.
The deposit will be returned within 10 days after inspection of the property, if no damage is reported.
💡 Quick tip: Save money while exploring top Gettysburg attractions by booking with Viator or Get Your Guide.
How Do I Make Reservations For The Slyder House?
You can make reservations for the Bush House by filling out the form.
After completing your reservation, you will be contacted by the National Park Service to sign a Short Term Lease Agreement.
You will then be sent a keycode to access the historic Bushman House. Please note, a security deposit of $250 is included in your reservation fee.
I’m not saying these houses are haunted, but you can check out the most haunted places in Gettysburg during your stay! Also, don’t forget to book a ghost tour, and visit the Sachs haunted bridge right down the road.
The Gettysburg Battlefield Vacation Rental Program
The Bushman house served as a rental property before the pandemic and visitor feedback was positive. The program is now being implemented as a three-year pilot that gives visitors a unique and immersive experience on the battlefield.
The rental program will also help provide funding support for the repair and maintenance of many other historic structures that are part of the Gettysburg National Military Park.
This is a great way to immerse yourself in history. Enjoy one of the many Gettysburg battlefield tours and then return to your house, right in the middle of the action.
Need Help Planning Your Trip?
🛌 Find the perfect accommodations with Booking.com. From luxury hotels to budget-friendly options, they have a room for every preference, including pets and pools.
🎡 Discover the best tours and activities with Viator or Get Your Guide. Explore iconic landmarks, take guided tours and immerse yourself in history.
🚗 Rent a car with Discover Cars and enjoy the freedom to explore the town at your own pace. Discover hidden gems, explore the countryside and make the most of your trip.
✈️ Need a flight? Check FareDrop for the best deals.
Getting To Gettysburg
The nearest airport is Harrisburg International Airport which is about 35 miles north of Gettysburg. Gettysburg also has a small airfield on Route 30 west of Gettysburg that accommodates private aircraft.