Hopkins House Museum 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, beer, 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...

07/20/2026

Here's another progress photo of the Hopkins House from earlier this month!

The goal is to restore the home to its Civil War-era appearance, when it was a one-and-a-half-story structure.

Stay tuned for more updates and announcements as this exciting project continues!

07/16/2026

Some new photos of the progress at the Hopkins House from our friend Gettysburg Images!

07/14/2026

Born in Carroll County, Maryland, Lloyd Watts moved with his family to Adams County before he reached the age of 16. His parents purchased a small farm south of town along the Emmitsburg Road, and Watts continued his education in the local schools. During the Civil War, he enlisted and served in the 24th United States Colored Troops and was promoted to Sergeant. After the war, he taught at Gettysburg’s “colored school,” was ordained a minister, and served as deacon of St. Paul’s A.M.E. Church for many years. He was active in pursuing justice and equality for all.

We look forward to sharing more stories of Gettysburg's Black community at the Hopkins House Museum, where the lives and contributions of individuals like Lloyd Watts will be remembered and celebrated.

07/07/2026

During the Battle of Gettysburg anniversary, the story of Gettysburg's Basil Biggs came to life through a performance of select scenes from Anna Deavere Smith's new play that honors her great-great-grandfather.

Drawing on archival material, Smith imaginatively reconstructed the lives of Biggs, his family, and their community as they navigated one of the most turbulent moments in American history.

The live performance at Gettysburg College's Kline Theatre concluded with an audience conversation. We're so glad to see Gettysburg's Black history brought to life through the arts!

(Photos by Gettysburg Images)