Wills House
Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Abraham Lincoln was a guest of David Wills in this house, Nov. 18 and 19, 1863. Here he met Governor Curtin and others, greeted the public, and completed his Gettysburg Address.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
In November 1863, the town of Gettysburg was still reeling from the great battle fought that July when it gathered to dedicate a national cemetery for the Union dead. Abraham Lincoln lodged in the home of attorney David Wills, met Governor Andrew Curtin and other dignitaries, and greeted crowds from the doorway. It was here, on the eve of the ceremony, that the President put the finishing touches on the few short remarks that would become the Gettysburg Address.
Why it matters
In this house Lincoln refined 272 words that redefined the war as a test of whether a nation "conceived in liberty" could endure — among the most consequential speeches in American history.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- The David Wills House Museumnearby · 8 Lincoln Square, Gettysburg, PA
- Ticket to the Past - Unforgettable Journeysnearby · 35 Carlisle Street, Gettysburg, PA
- Gettysburg Museum of History0.2 mi away · 219 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA
- Shriver House Museum0.3 mi away · 309 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA
- Jennie Wade House Gifts0.5 mi away · 548 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA
- Casteel Sculptures0.6 mi away · 789 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA
Attractions
- John Eisenhower Bridge3.0 mi away · Waterworks Road
- Sachs Covered Bridge3.3 mi away
- Sachs Covered Bridge3.3 mi away · Waterworks Road, Gettysburg, PA
Food & drink
- Blue & Gray Bar & Grillnearby · 2 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA
- Starbucksnearby · 1 Lincoln Square, Gettysburg, PA
- Borough BBQnearby · 15 York Street, Gettysburg, PA
- One Lincolnnearby · 1 Lincoln Square, Gettysburg, PA
- Ploughman Cider Taproomnearby · 14 Lincoln Square, Gettysburg, PA
- Beef Jerky Experiencenearby · 1 Chambersburg Street, Gettysburg, PA
Places to stay
- The Inn at Lincoln Squarenearby · 12 Lincoln Square, Gettysburg, PA
- Gettysburg Hotelnearby · 1 Lincoln Square, Gettysburg, PA
- The LaVerne Private Guesthousenearby · 27 York Street, Gettysburg, PA
- The Brafferton Innnearby · 44 York Street, Gettysburg, PA
- The Union Hotelnearby · 27 Chambersburg Street, Gettysburg, PA
- Tillie Pierce House Inn0.3 mi away · 301 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
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Related people
- · Abraham Lincoln
- · David Wills
- · Andrew Curtin
Related events
- · Gettysburg Address
- · Dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
Gettysburg Battlefield
Gettysburg, PA · est. 1895
Lee's second invasion of the North ended here in three days of fighting that left over 50,000 casualties. Four months later Lincoln redefined the war's purpose in 272 words.
Adams County
Gettysburg, PA · est. 1982
Established in 1800 and named for President John Adams, this county in Pennsylvania's rolling southern hills became known for its orchards and fruit harvests. Its seat, Gettysburg, was a quiet crossroads town until July 1863, when it became the site of the Civil War's bloodiest and most decisive battle. That autumn, President Abraham Lincoln came to dedicate the soldiers' cemetery and delivered the brief, immortal Gettysburg Address.
26th PA Emergency Regt Jennings
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This monument commemorates the 26th Pennsylvania Emergency Regiment, which reached Gettysburg on June 25, 1863, ahead of the Army of the Potomac. On the morning of June 26 it marched out the Chambersburg Pike and met the Confederate column at Marsh Creek, only to be overwhelmed and forced to withdraw that afternoon. These green emergency troops were among the first to oppose the Confederate advance into the town.
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This headquarters marker locates the First Brigade of the Second Division, Eleventh Corps, Army of the Potomac, commanded by Colonel Charles R. Coster at Gettysburg. Its regiments — the 134th and 154th New York and the 27th and 73rd Pennsylvania — were thrown into action on July 1, 1863, to cover the Union retreat through the town. Markers like this map the command structure of the vast army that fought here.