The Ghosts of the Gettysburg Children's Orphanage

In the aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, the town was left reeling—not just from the thousands of dead and wounded soldiers but also from the social wreckage that followed. Countless children had been orphaned by the war. Fathers were lost in battle, mothers succumbed to poverty or illness, and entire families were torn apart. Gettysburg, once a quiet town, suddenly found itself in desperate need of infrastructure to care for these vulnerable young souls.

In response, in 1866, the National Homestead at Gettysburg was established by Dr. John F. Bourns, a Philadelphia physician moved by the plight of children orphaned by the war. The orphanage was set up to house and educate these children, with the hope of giving them a new chance at life in the wake of unspeakable loss.

At first, the home was seen as a beacon of hope. But darkness would soon take hold inside its walls.

One of the most infamous chapters in the orphanage's history centers around its cruel and controversial headmistress, Rosa Carmichael. She took over as the matron of the orphanage in the early 1870s—and quickly earned a reputation for being abusive, sadistic, and utterly unfit for the care of children.

According to numerous accounts and survivor testimonies, Carmichael subjected the children to horrifying punishments. She allegedly used solitary confinement, beatings, and even a "dungeon" in the basement, where misbehaving children were chained to walls in isolation. A dark, windowless room beneath the building served as this prison, and the stories that have emerged about what happened there are nothing short of chilling.

Children were reportedly locked away for days at a time, with no food or water. Some were forced to wear iron collars or shackles. One documented punishment involved forcing a child to stand motionless for hours—sometimes days—until they collapsed from exhaustion.

Eventually, word of Carmichael's cruelty reached the public. An investigation was launched, and while she was eventually removed from her position and disgraced, the emotional and physical scars left on the children remained. And many believe their spirits still linger in the orphanage to this day.

Unsurprisingly, the tragic history of the orphanage has fueled some of Gettysburg's most heart-wrenching and active hauntings. Paranormal investigators consistently report encounters with the spirits of children, often in the basement dungeon where the worst abuses took place.

Visitors to the orphanage have reported:

• Childlike giggles and whispers in empty rooms.
• Small handprints appearing on dusty furniture or even on windows.
• Unseen presences tugging at clothing, especially women's skirts.
• Sudden drops in temperature, cold spots, and unexplained shadows.
• The sound of chains rattling or quiet sobbing coming from the basement.

Many investigators claim the most active area is the dungeon, where the energy is thick, heavy, and undeniably unsettling. It's not uncommon for even seasoned ghost hunters to cut their visits short after experiencing overwhelming sadness, anxiety, or nausea while inside.

One of the most infamous sightings is that of a young girl in a tattered dress, who's been seen both upstairs and down. She never speaks, but she often makes eye contact—before vanishing into thin air. Some believe she may have died while being punished, while others think she stays behind to protect the other children's spirits.

While the children are the most commonly experienced spirits, they're not alone.

Some paranormal enthusiasts have reported seeing the ghost of Rosa Carmichael herself, often described as a tall, cold woman with a stern face. She's been seen descending the staircase or standing near doorways, always watching silently. EVP sessions have picked up angry growls or firm commands like "Silence!" or "No talking," believed to be echoes of Carmichael's iron-fisted rule.

Other unexplained activity includes lights flickering, even though the building has modern electricity. People often report doors slamming or locking on their own. And you can't have a haunted place in Gettysburg without having a few soldiers still haunting the place. Apparitions of Civil War soldiers, possibly connected to the building's proximity to troop movements and field hospitals during the war.

Today, the Children's Orphanage is preserved as part of Gettysburg's historic walking tours and paranormal experiences. It remains a favorite stop for ghost tours and is often included in after-dark investigations for those brave enough to venture into the dungeon.

You can visit the orphanage through guided tours offered by local companies, including evening ghost tours that delve deep into its tragic past and terrifying hauntings. Many tours offer access to the basement—a rare opportunity to step inside one of Gettysburg's most infamous paranormal hotspots.

Located just a short walk from Lincoln Square, the orphanage is easy to find and even easier to feel unsettled by.

The Children's Orphanage of Gettysburg is more than just a haunted location—it's a place where real suffering left a permanent mark. Its walls witnessed the innocence of childhood destroyed by war, cruelty, and neglect. Whether you're a history buff or a paranormal investigator, visiting this site is a powerful, emotional experience.

And while some ghosts may cry out for help or justice, others simply want to be remembered.

Come quietly. Be respectful. And listen—because the children still have stories to tell.