Visiting Eisenhower National Historic Site in Gettysburg offers a rare look into the private world of America’s 34th President.
Adjacent to the Gettysburg Battlefield, the Eisenhower National Historic Site is the only home Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower ever owned, after a lifetime of moving between Army posts and eight years in the White House.
Stepping onto the property feels like entering a peaceful retreat, framed by views of South Mountain to the west and Seminary Ridge to the east.
Directions | Hours | Admission Fees
The entrance to Eisenhower National Historic Site is located at 250 Eisenhower Farm Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325.
The grounds of Eisenhower National Historic Site are open daily, sunrise to sunset.
Home tours are offered on select dates throughout the year – please check HERE to view the official NPS schedule.
There is no fee for visiting Eisenhower National Historic Site – all home tours and ranger programs are free of charge.
History of the Eisenhower Farm
Purchased by then-General Dwight D. Eisenhower and his wife Mamie in 1950, the 189-acre farm originally contained several dilapidated buildings dating to the 18th and 19th centuries.
Renovation of the property was delayed when Eisenhower became supreme commander of NATO in 1951.
After being elected President in 1953, Mamie insisted that the old house be rebuilt, and much of the original structure had to be torn down due to its poor condition.
The total renovation cost was $250,000—nearly $3 million today—and Eisenhower even paid $65,000 (nearly $800,000 today) to use union workers who commuted daily from Washington, D.C.
The home later became so iconic that it was featured on the reverse of the 1990 Eisenhower Centennial silver dollar, cementing its place in national memory.
On their 1955 wedding anniversary, the Eisenhowers celebrated completion of the home with a large party.
From 1955 to the end of Eisenhower’s second presidential term in 1961, he spent a total of 365 days at the Gettysburg farm.
The longest of these stays lasted 38 days in late 1955 while he recovered from a heart attack.
After 1955, the Eisenhowers spent most weekends and summer breaks here, using the farm as a much-needed respite from the pressures of Washington.
The home also became a diplomatic setting where informal meetings were held with notable world leaders including Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, French President Charles de Gaulle, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and future U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
The property was donated to the National Park Service in 1967, with the Eisenhowers retaining lifetime living rights.
Dwight died in 1969, and Mamie continued living here until her death in 1979, after which the NPS opened the site to the public in 1980.
What You’ll See at the Eisenhower National Historic Site
The interior of the Eisenhower home looks almost exactly as it did when the couple lived here.
Many visitors are surprised to learn that the sun porch was Eisenhower’s absolute favorite room.
Here, he loved to play cards, paint, and watch westerns on his personal TV, often surrounded by family, friends, and piles of reading material.
The formal living spaces reflect Mamie’s taste for elegance, including a dazzling chandelier in the dining room and impeccably set dinner table.
Family portraits, a grand piano, and curated keepsakes showcase a life that balanced public pressure with domestic comfort.
The house remains a powerful visual record of private presidential life during the Cold War era.
Exploring the Farm
The exterior of the property is just as memorable, beginning with the stately white farmhouse perched above rolling fields.
One of the most dramatic features of the farm is the field that once served as Eisenhower’s personal helicopter landing pad.
As the first President to travel by helicopter, Marine One would drop him onto the farm in about 35 minutes—far faster than the two-hour drive from Washington, D.C.
The surrounding farmland remains a working cattle operation, home to the black Angus herd that Eisenhower personally took great pride in developing.
Visitors can walk the grounds and imagine the Eisenhowers strolling together past the barnyard or sitting outdoors enjoying the quiet Pennsylvania air.
Whether exploring the fields or standing beside the historic dinner bell engraved with the presidential seal, the connection to America’s past feels close and personal.
The farm’s peaceful landscape makes it easy to understand why the Eisenhowers treasured this retreat.
Final Thoughts
Visiting the Eisenhower National Historic Site today is both educational and unexpectedly intimate.
Whether you’re a history buff, a presidential enthusiast, or simply someone who craves quiet beauty, this Gettysburg landmark offers a profound look at leadership, legacy, and the comfort of home.
Nearby Attractions
26 Must-See Attractions in Adams County is your guide to even more great things to see and do near Eisenhower National Historic Site.
Discover more than a thousand incredible places to explore across Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!
Did you enjoy this article?
If so, be sure to like and follow PA Bucket List on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Pinterest to learn more about the best things to see and do in Pennsylvania!
Click on any of the icons below to get connected to PA Bucket List on social media.
