David Wills House

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

Located in downtown Gettysburg at Lincoln Square, this house belonged to David Wills, a young attorney who spearheaded efforts to create the Soldiers' National Cemetery and organized its dedication ceremony. President Abraham Lincoln stayed here the night before delivering the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863. Lincoln likely worked on his speech in the upstairs bedroom, though contrary to legend, he did not write it entirely on the train or on the back of an envelope. The house has been restored as a museum focusing on the civilian experience during and after the battle. Exhibits explore how the small town of 2,400 residents was overwhelmed by the battle's aftermath, with hundreds of wounded soldiers filling every available building. Residents cared for wounded from both sides, and the town became one vast hospital for weeks. The museum tells stories of courage and compassion, including African American residents who risked their lives to help, despite knowing Confederate forces had captured free Black citizens during their advance. Standing in the room where Lincoln slept helps visitors connect personally with this pivotal moment in history. The Wills House provides essential context about how the battle affected ordinary people and how a small town's response to tragedy inspired a president's words that would resonate through the ages.