Eisenhower National Historic Site

Stop on Gettysburg Battlefield Historic Tour, a free self-guided tour.

Adjacent to the battlefield is the farm and home of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower. This was the only home the couple ever owned, serving as a weekend retreat during his presidency (1953-1961) and their retirement residence. Eisenhower, who commanded Allied forces in Europe during World War II, chose Gettysburg partly because of his deep respect for military history and his connection to the area from earlier military service. The 690-acre farm hosted world leaders including Nikita Khrushchev, Charles de Gaulle, and Winston Churchill. The home has been preserved as it was during the Eisenhower years, filled with their furniture, artwork, and personal belongings. Tours reveal insights into both Eisenhower's public achievements and private life. The farm shows his interest in agriculture and his Black Angus cattle operation. The grounds offer beautiful views of the battlefield, and Eisenhower often walked among the monuments, contemplating the nature of war and leadership. Visiting the site adds another layer to understanding Gettysburg's continuing significance in American consciousness. Access requires a shuttle bus from the main Visitor Center as the site is separately managed. The contrast between the 1860s battlefield and the mid-20th-century farm illustrates nearly a century of American history meeting on the same hallowed ground.