GETTYSBURG ORPHANAGE
Built in 1836, the two-story brick home that would later become the Gettysburg Orphanage began as a private residence purchased by Captain John Myers and his wife, Esther, in 1844. During the Battle of Gettysburg, the property served as both a headquarters and a field hospital, where countless soldiers were treated for their wounds. The need for an orphanage became heartbreakingly clear when an unidentified soldier was found deceased, clutching a photograph of his three children.
In 1866, following the Civil War, the property was chosen as the site for the National Orphanage, offering refuge to children who had lost their parents in the conflict. The site, which included two acres of land, a garden, an orchard, and stabling, was purchased by the National Association of Philadelphia under the direction of Dr. John Francis Bourns.
Sergeant Amos Humiston became a poignant symbol of the Battle of Gettysburg when he was found clutching a photograph of his children; Frank, Alice, and Fred. A newspaper article describing the image and his final moments led to his identification by his widow, Philinda. In 1866, Philinda moved to the Gettysburg Orphanage with her children, becoming its first headmistress and dedicating herself to caring for other war orphans.
Initially, the orphanage provided a safe and nurturing environment, offering education and community involvement, including Memorial Day processions where children laid bouquets on soldiers’ graves. However, by the 1870s, the orphanage’s reputation took a dark turn under the new leadership of matron Rosa Carmichael as allegations of neglect and abuse began to surface. Rosa was later convicted of cruelty charges, leading to the orphanage’s closure in 1876.
HAUNTINGS OF THE GETTYSBURG ORPHANAGE
The Gettysburg Orphanage, steeped in a tragic and cruel past, is widely believed to be one of the most haunted locations in the area. The dark dungeon beneath the orphanage, where the cruel headmistress, Rosa Carmichael punished and tortured children, is said to be the epicentre of much of the paranormal activity.
Visitors have reported hearing the clanging of shackles and chains echoing throughout the basement, a chilling reminder of the suffering endured by the orphans. Orbs and flashes of light have also been seen in the dungeon, and strange mists are said to linger in the air. Some have even caught glimpses of a small boy standing in the dark corners, his presence both eerie and sorrowful.
The hauntings are not limited to the dungeon. Throughout the orphanage, visitors have reported hearing the cries and giggles of children, as well as feeling tugs on their clothing, as if unseen hands are reaching out to them. Full-bodied apparitions of children in disheveled period clothing have been seen wandering the halls, and some claim to have captured their images in photographs.
The sinister spirit of Rosa Carmichael is also said to haunt the property, her presence a continued reminder of the atrocities committed under her watch. In the cellar, toys have been left for the orphaned child spirits by visitors and many have felt an unseen presence, as though someone is attempting to play with them.
Toys left for the spirits have reportedly moved on their own, adding to the unsettling atmosphere inside the orphanage. Combined with the lingering presence of fallen soldiers from the Battle of Gettysburg, the orphanage remains an emotional destination for those wanting to discover its heavy history and haunting legacy.
VISITING THE GETTYSBURG ORPHANAGE
Exploring the Gettysburg Orphanage is a deeply moving experience, that leaves an unforgettable mark on all who visit. The weight of its history, marked by the suffering of orphaned children and injured soldiers lost to war can be felt in every corner. Standing in the dark dungeon, where innocent lives endured unspreakable cruelty, or walking through the spaces once filled with pain and anguish, you are confronted with the stark realities of a tragic past. This is more than just a historical site or a place of paranormal intrigue, it is a somber reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable hardship. For anyone wanting to visit, the Gettysburg Orphanage offers public tours and private investigations, providing an opportunity to reflect on the enduring impact of compassion, cruelty, and the lives forever changed within its walls.
If the heartbreaking stories of the Gettysburg Orphanage moved you, consider delving into the chilling tales of the Black-Eyed Children, said to haunt the Four Crosses Inn in England.
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