With Gettysburg as the seat of Adams County, Pennsylvania, the area is deeply steeped in U.S. history. Houses from the Revolution and the Civil War are now sources of that history, as well as places for unique dining opportunities.
Reverend Alexander Dobbin, a native of Ireland, built Dobbin House in 1776, as both a family home and classical school, according to Dobbin House Inc. In 1800, he worked to establish Adams County, which previously was a part of York County, and he was one of the county commissioners who chose Gettysburg as the seat. In the mid-1800s, a crawl space in the house reportedly was used to hide runaway slaves as they made their way to freedom through the Underground Railroad. Later, President Lincoln reportedly delivered his Gettysburg address just a few hundred yards from the house. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Pennsylvania Registered Historic Landmark.
Today the Dobbins House is a restored version of the original building, and it is both a tavern and fine dining establishment. The Springhouse Tavern offers food and drinks with a colonial flare, like the Rum Bellies Vengeance drink and the Spit-Roasted Chicken. The menu includes soups and salads, sandwiches, full dinners and desserts. The tavern is open daily for lunch and dinner.
The Dobbin House's six dining rooms are open every evening for fine dining by candlelight. The menu features beef, chicken, duck, lamb, pork and seafood entrees, rounded out with appetizers, sides, homemade bread and fresh-baked desserts. Specialty cocktails also are on the menu.
Dobbin House Tavern
89 Steinwehr Ave.
Gettyburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-2100
dobbinhouse.com
Built in 1810, with an addition in 1833, Farnsworth House was the site of a three-day battle during the Civil War, according to a Farnsworth House history at its website. Confederate sharpshooters allegedly took up residence in the house, and more than 100 bullet holes remain in the north wall.
Today the inn strives to provide guests with a Civil War experience as they dine and stay at the historic dwelling. The inn offers period dining, murder mystery dinners, dinner theater and more. In addition, the tavern is open daily during peak season for lunch and dinner, with a menu that includes soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees, cocktails and locally-produced wines. The tavern is open on Friday and Saturday only during winter months.
Farnsworth House Inn
401 Baltimore St.
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8838
farnsworthhouseinn.com
Thomas Sweeney built Herr Tavern and Publick House in 1815, according to the Inn at Herr Ridge, but he later was driven to bankruptcy. In 1828, Sweeney sold the tavern to Frederick Herr, who was reportedly involved in several shady activities. However, before the Civil War, Herr allowed the Underground Railroad to use the building, helping to bring former slaves to freedom. During the Civil War, in 1863, the Confederates took over the tavern for use as a hospital.
Now, the Inn at Herr Ridge is open daily for dinner, from Wednesday through Saturday for lunch, and on Sunday for brunch. The dinner menu includes soups, salads, light meals, full meals, desserts, cocktails and wines. The menu strongly features beef and shellfish, as well as pork and poultry. The lunch menu features soups, salads, a large variety of sandwiches and a few entrees.
The Inn at Herr Ridge
900 Chambersburg Road
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-4332
innatherrridge.com
