Hopkins House Museum Gettysburg

10/21/2026

You may have heard a version of the phrase, "if this house could speak," and at the Hopkins House Museum, it really will!

We just poured a concrete pad inside what was once a dirt crawl space to prevent moisture issues underneath this area. The full basement, likely dating to the original construction of the 1840s cabin, will remain.

The cabin will be transformed into an immersive projection space that tells the story of the Hopkins family and their home. The house will literally "speak" to visitors. We are very excited to share it with you!

Stay tuned for more updates. To support the Black history museum, visit https://gettysburghistory.org/donate/

10/13/2026

We've uncovered hundreds of artifacts at the Hopkins House as we make way for the Gettysburg Black history museum! Each piece gives us a glimpse into the lives of the people who called this 1840s log cabin their home.

Can you identify any of the objects in these photos?

Stay tuned as the next phase of the Hopkins House project kicks off! Now that we've preserved the original log cabin facing the street, we will add a modern addition to the back of the cabin to hold exhibits featuring rare artifacts like these.

Learn more and support the Hopkins House: https://gettysburghistory.org/hopkins-house/

09/16/2026

Exciting changes coming to Lincoln Cemetery at Gettysburg!

09/10/2026

Check out Hopkins House artifacts now on display at Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum!

09/09/2026

In the words of Jean Green, president of Lincoln Cemetery at Gettysburg, "You can't continue to journey forward without knowing where you come from."

We're honored to be working alongside Jean to tell the stories of Gettysburg's historic Black community.

Learn more about Jean's incredible work in the latest issue of Celebrate Gettysburg!

08/20/2026

Phase one of our campaign to save the Jack & Julia Hopkins House in Gettysburg is nearly complete! We have successfully restored the 1840s log cabin back to its original appearance, a major step toward our goal of establishing a premiere Black History Museum at the site. This could not have been accomplished without the support of hundreds of donors from across the country. We have already raised more than $2 million for the project, and hope to raise another $1.5 million to ensure that the museum is a world-class experience.

Stay tuned for more updates, and please consider supporting the project to help us get across the finish line. More info in the comments.

08/14/2026

We are grateful for The Gettysburg Academy Bed and Breakfast's support of the Hopkins House! Check out a new progress photo below.

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We love our downtown Gettysburg neighborhood! We are across the street from Gettysburg History’s important new site—the Hopkins House! When their construction is finished, the house will be open to the public as a museum. (Our sign is in our yard in the photo foreground!)

From Gettysburg History:
“…one of the last remaining landmarks tied to the town’s early Black history. Known as the Hopkins House, this humble structure at 219 South Washington Street was once home to Jack and Julia Hopkins, a free Black couple who raised their children in the shadow of the Civil War. Jack, a respected janitor at Gettysburg College, purchased the home in 1857 from Underground Railroad conductor Abraham Brian. His eldest son Edward served during the Civil War in the United States Colored Troops and went on to become Gettysburg’s first Black elected official.”

We certainly will be the closest lodging to the new museum! And we couldn’t be more pleased.

08/13/2026

Was Gettysburg resident Owen Robinson really 110 years old when he died? Not quite, says historian Tim Smith.

According to Tim’s research, Robinson was actually 15 years younger. He was 95 when he passed away on August 7, 1900.

Born into slavery in Maryland, Robinson eventually made his way to Gettysburg, where he operated an oyster business and later an ice cream shop. He became a prominent member of Gettysburg’s Black community.

Shown here is a newspaper article about Robinson that appeared in the Philadelphia Times in 1900.

08/05/2026

Did you know today is National Oyster Day?

During excavations at the Hopkins House, a remarkable number of oyster shells were discovered, including the ones pictured here.

Why were there so many oyster shells found on the property? The shells may simply reflect what the Hopkins family ate, but they could also be connected to a family business (or other local business).

In 1880, John Edward Hopkins, the son of Jack and Julia Hopkins, opened an oyster saloon at McConaughy Hall on Carlisle Street. A few years later, he opened a restaurant across the street that advertised the "best oysters, b**r, and cheese," according to an 1885 notice in the Gettysburg Compiler.

These oyster shells offer a small glimpse into both everyday life and the entrepreneurial spirit of the Hopkins family and Gettysburg's Black community.

07/28/2026

We look forward to highlighting Basil Biggs's story, along with the stories of many other important figures from Gettysburg's Black community, at the Hopkins House Museum!

Anna Deavere Smith is well known for her acting in films and TV, in...