The Jennie Wade Birthplace

Posted: 07.01.2025 | Updated: 07.01.2025

The Jennie Wade Birthplace serves as a powerful memorial in Gettysburg – the site where history and tragedy will forever coexist. 

After 150 years of objectivity since its establishment, this historic home is, for the first time, available for public access and offers an intimate look into the life and memory of Mary Virginia “Jennie” Wade.

Visitors can now walk the same halls where Jennie lived and experience the stories that shaped Gettysburg during the Civil War. The house is a place where the past seems to linger, inviting curiosity and reflection.

If you’re fascinated by history and the unexplained, book a ghost tour with Civil War Ghosts or a historic tour or ghost hunt at the Jennie Wade Birthplace, where sightings of Jennie, Jack Skelly, and James Wade Sr. have been reported. Step inside and discover the secrets and spirits that make this iconic home so unforgettable.

Is the Jennie Wade Birthplace Haunted?

The Jennie Wade Birthplace is commonly regarded as haunted, with numerous accounts of strange occurrences reported by both local residents and visitors. 

Most people assume that the highlights of these experiences are attributed to Jennie Wade, her immediate family, and other aspects of the astonishing history of the home.

Guests and investigators describe encounters ranging from mysterious scratches to shadowy figures and disembodied voices. The house’s haunted reputation is supported by a rich collection of eyewitness accounts and ghost investigations.

History of the Jennie Wade Birthplace

Mary Virginia “Jennie” Wade was born in this modest clapboard home on Baltimore Street on May 21, 1843, into a family of seamstresses and laborers. The house, constructed around 1820, witnessed the struggles and triumphs of the Wade family, including Jennie’s early years and her father’s troubled past.

Jennie’s father, Captain James Wade Sr., was often absent and spent time in jail and later in an almshouse, leaving the family in poverty. Jennie, her mother, and her sister, Georgia, worked as seamstresses to support the household, while her brothers took on odd jobs around town.

The home became a center of family life, even as hardship and scandal shadowed the Wades. Jennie’s close friendship with Johnston “Jack” Skelly, her presumed fiancé, began here and continued through the turmoil of the Civil War.

Unfortunately, Jennie was the only civilian casualty of the Battle of Gettysburg when a stray bullet hit her while she was baking bread for Union soldiers. Her story of sacrifice and selflessness has become a touchpoint for the civilian experience of Gettysburg, and she is a cherished local legend.

Now, for the first time, the Jennie Wade Birthplace is open to the public, allowing visitors to connect with this powerful history. The house stands as a living monument to Jennie, her family, and the enduring spirit of Gettysburg.

Hauntings at Jennie Wade’s Birthplace

The Jennie Wade Birthplace is rich with stories of ghostly activity, gathered from years of local lore and firsthand accounts. According to locals and investigators, the spirits of Jennie, her family, and others connected to the home are said to linger within its walls.

These hauntings range from residual echoes of the past to interactive encounters with intelligent spirits. Each story adds another layer to the mystery and allure of this historic home.

Mysterious Scratches

Unexplained scratches appeared on an upstairs wall, puzzling residents and staff alike. 

Despite being painted over multiple times, the scratches returned until, after the third repair, they mysteriously stopped for good.

Locals speculate these marks may be the work of Captain James Wade Sr., Jennie’s troubled father, who spent years institutionalized. His restless spirit is thought to be endeavoring to seek salvation or redeem itself for something which has been lost. 

Some visitors have reported that they felt a sudden chill or an uneasy feeling whenever the scratches reappeared. The scratches became a hallmark of the home’s haunted characteristics.

The Soldier

A Civil War soldier is often seen downstairs, pacing or sitting at the foot of the bed. Many believe this is John James “Jack” Wade, Jennie’s brother, returning in spirit to protect the home and his sister.

His presence is described as calm but watchful, a guardian figure watching over the house. Some visitors report feeling a sense of comfort or reassurance when he appears.

Others mention seeing the soldier fade into the shadows or hearing the faint sound of boots on the floor. These encounters reinforce the home’s connection to its Civil War past.

Randy

During a ghost investigation, a blindfolded, soundproofed woman accurately responded to a question about someone named “Randy” living in the house—without hearing the question. 

This has been taken as a possible sign of spirit communication. Investigators and locals consider this a remarkable example of unexplained interaction with the unseen. 

The identity of “Randy” remains a mystery, but the experience is well-documented among those familiar with the home. Some speculate that Randy may have been a former resident or a visitor connected to the family. Others believe he could be a playful spirit, drawn to the home’s lively energy.

Children’s Laughter & Crying

Often, guests will report hearing children playing on the stairs and the sound of a baby crying at night. These sounds are thought to be residual hauntings playing back moments in time that occurred in the house.

Some suppose that the laughter belongs to Jennie and her siblings; the crying may belong to the spirit of baby Martha Margaret Wade, who died in the house at just four months of age. 

The sounds of childhood remain strong reminders of the family’s happiness and sadness in that house. Visitors sometimes sense a gentle presence or see fleeting shadows in the rooms where the sounds originate. These encounters leave a lasting impression of warmth and nostalgia.

Captain James Wade Sr. 

A dark, unsettled presence believed to be Jennie’s father is often felt in the house. Associated with dropping temperatures, frantic energy, and objects being moved or thrown, his spirit is thought to be seeking redemption.

Some believe he is trying to return the money he once stole or to make amends for his troubled life. He is also suspected of causing the mysterious scratches on the wall.

Jennie Wade & Jack Skelly

Jennie and her fiancé, Jack, died just nine days apart during the Civil War and are said to have reunited in the afterlife. A protective male spirit, believed to be Jack, haunts the area near Jennie’s bedroom.

He is known to push, pinch, or make male visitors feel sick—especially if they get too close. When no men are present, quiet voices can be heard from the room, possibly Jennie and Jack whispering together.

A residual haunting of the two picnicking beneath an oak tree, a favorite pastime, has also been reported on the battlefield. This gentle echo of happier times adds a bittersweet note to their tragic story.

Haunted Gettysburg

The Jennie Wade Birthplace is a place where history and the eerie intertwine, offering a rare window into Gettysburg’s past. For the first time, the public can explore the home where Jennie Wade’s life began and where her spirit is said to linger.

Whether you’re drawn to history or mystery, the Jennie Wade Birthplace offers something for everyone. Ready to experience the stories and spirits of Gettysburg firsthand? Book a ghost tour with Civil War Ghosts or a ghost hunt at the Jennie Wade Birthplace. 

Step inside and discover the secrets, sorrows, and spirits that make this home a living piece of American history. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and keep reading our blog for more real Gettysburg hauntings.

Sources:

1. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/mary-virginia-jennie-wade
2. https://destinationgettysburg.com/event/the-historic-jennie-wade-birthplace-opens-to-the-public-for-the-first-time/
3. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=8169
4. https://www.hoodcomstudies.com/Triplett/Main%20Page.html
5. https://usghostadventures.com/haunted-cities/gettysburgs-most-haunted/jennie-wades-birthplace-the-untold-origins-of-gettysburgs-civilian-heroine/
6. https://usghostadventures.com/haunted-cities/gettysburgs-most-haunted/the-jennie-wade-house/
7. https://usghostadventures.com/gettysburg-ghost-tour/the-jennie-wade-house/