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The Farnsworth
House Experience
By: Cecilia Ann Marzulli
During the summer of 1863 the Confederate Army
of Northern Virginia, under the command of General Robert Edward
Lee, invaded the northern State of Pennsylvania in an attempt to
draw the attention of the Union army away from Washington DC, so
that his army might attempt to invade the Capital City and perhaps
win the war for the Southern States.
As the fighting progressed on July 1st the
Federal forces found themselves pushed into the streets of
Gettysburg. The soldiers took control of the town and placed
themselves in positions to shoot from all angles. They hid in houses
to have the advantage of shooting from any nook and cranny they
could find. Windows and porches were prime locations for concealing
themselves. Across Baltimore Street, a barricade was built. The
fighting and snipers encompassed the entire town. The house located
at 401 Baltimore Street, then owned by the Sweney family, was
located in the center of the action. Confederate soldiers hid on the
porch and at all of the windows, particularly the "garrett," or
attic window.
The house located at 401 Baltimore Street is
now known as the Farnsworth House.
I have stayed at this beautifully decorated Bed & Breakfast numerous
times. The staff's total focus is to provide excellent customer
service and a friendly atmosphere.
Guests choose Farnsworth to have an "experience." I can tell you
first hand, that you will have an experience. At the very least, you
will experience a comfortable bed, and a warm friendly Victorian
atmosphere.
However, some guests choose Farnsworth to have
a "paranormal" experience. While the staff has no control over the
appearances of the many spirits that dwell here, paranormal events
do occur. Not just in the main house, but on the grounds as well.
The present day bookstore, tavern and several guest rooms are now
standing where there was once a battlefield. These soldiers were
fighting for their lives. I would like to share the following
experiences with you.
The first time I stayed at Farnsworth, I
took my Mother up to my favorite town, Gettysburg, to have a girl's
weekend out and, of course, we were hoping for an "experience."
We were not in our room five minutes when our
door opened and a cool breeze flowed through the room along with the
sweet scent of roses. I closed the door again making sure that the
handle closed into the frame properly. The door was secured snugly,
and we proceeded to unpack and settle into the room. Not five
minutes later, the door again swung open. Okay, that is weird, I was
certain it was secured. Again I closed the door making sure it was
secure. The door opened a third time. Perplexed we just simply
latched the dead bolt. We went to dinner and then to the "Mourning
Theatre" in the cellar. We were now informed as to who some of the
spirits were that wander these corridors. We learned that a midwife
named Mary still dwells within the house and had an affinity for
roses, and the scent follows her presence. I had originally thought
that the sweet smell of roses that breezed through the room was my
Mother's perfume, however she informed me later that she was not
wearing any perfume that day. Hmmmmm, could it have been Mary
greeting us as we were settling into the room? Later that night, the
scent of Tobacco smoke was coming from the hallway. Upon opening the
door, I observed that there was no one in the corridor. The next
night we heard what sounded like a child running and giggling in the
hallway, again upon investigation, there was no child in the
hallway, just the guests from other rooms who had also heard the
sounds. There we stood just looking at each other. No children.
Well, at least none that we could see.
Several rooms are now constructed where in
1863 there were several out buildings and the green space of the
property. These rooms are beautifully constructed with fireplaces
and Jacuzzis for guest's enjoyment. At approximately one o'clock in
the morning the sound of running and yelling "THIS WAY" was heard,
followed by the distinct sound of marching for what seemed like
several minutes. Then the order was called out "COMPANYYYYY HALT!"
The silence that followed was eerie enough, but then came the next
command, "FORWARDDD MARCH!" The silence having been broken, was
again followed by the distinct sound of feet marching. As the sound
waned away, one stunned guest looked over at her Aunt and asked,
"WHAT was THAT?" This scenario was repeated by each and every
occupant of the outside rooms at breakfast the next morning. One
couple never made it to breakfast. The next morning they proceeded
to the bookstore and checked out. The sound of a Civil War unit had
moved right thru the rooms. You see the soldiers were unaware that
guest rooms were now standing in that space, and they were to be
quiet for the sleeping guests. In their parallel dimension they were
still in 1863. |
