Eisenhower National Historic Site

Eisenhower National Historic Site is the preserved home and farm of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States and Supreme Allied Commander during World War II. Located adjacent to the Gettysburg Battlefield in Adams County, Pennsylvania, the property served as a weekend retreat and a crucial venue for Cold War diplomacy. Managed by the National Park Service, the site encompasses over 690 acres, including the Georgian-style farmhouse, barns, and the president's prized Aberdeen Angus cattle operation.

History

The core of the property was originally part of the Gettysburg Battlefield, with the farmhouse built in the 1750s and later expanded. Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie Eisenhower, purchased the 189-acre farm in 1950, drawn to the area's history and tranquility following his tenure as President of Columbia University. As Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, and later during his presidency from 1953 to 1961, he extensively renovated the home, adding modern amenities and using it as a personal sanctuary and an informal "Western White House." Key historical figures such as Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle, and Nikita Khrushchev were hosted here for critical discussions. The property was donated to the federal government in 1967 and opened to the public in 1980 following Mamie Eisenhower's death.

Description

The site centers on the meticulously restored Eisenhower home, a two-story brick structure furnished as it was during the 1950s, containing original artifacts like gifts from foreign leaders and Eisenhower's paintings. The surrounding farm complex includes a Secret Service post, a guest house, a skeet range, and functional barns that supported a nationally recognized Aberdeen Angus herd. The landscape features rolling pastures, woodlands, and the iconic view of South Mountain, which Eisenhower famously admired. The grounds also contain the Putting Green where he practiced his golf and the helicopter pad used for travel to Washington, D.C..

Significance

The site is nationally significant as the only home ever owned by Dwight D. Eisenhower, symbolizing his identity as a citizen-soldier and gentleman farmer. It provides intimate insight into his post-World War II life and presidential leadership style, showcasing how he used the informal setting for high-stakes diplomacy during the Cold War, including the 1955 Geneva Summit preparatory meetings. The farm operation itself reflected his commitment to agricultural science and soil conservation, earning awards from the American Farm Bureau Federation. It stands as a direct physical link to the D-Day commander and a president who shaped mid-20th century America.

Visitor information

Access to the site is controlled; visitors must obtain a timed ticket from the Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center and board a shuttle bus for the short trip. Guided tours of the home are offered by National Park Service rangers, while the farm grounds, barns, and walking trails are self-guided. Special programs include living history demonstrations, seasonal events, and tours focusing on topics like the Secret Service or Eisenhower's art. The site is open daily from spring through fall, with limited winter hours, and is situated near other major attractions like the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center and the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, Kansas.

Collections and archives

The site maintains an extensive museum collection of over 65,000 artifacts, including the Eisenhowers' personal belongings, fine art, presidential gifts, and agricultural equipment. The archives house documents such as correspondence, photographs, and films related to the property's management and the family's life. A significant portion of the collection is on rotating display within the home, while other items are preserved in a climate-controlled facility. Research access to the archival materials is available by appointment through the partnership with the National Park Service and the adjacent Gettysburg National Military Park.

Category:National Historic Sites of the United States Category:Houses in Pennsylvania Category:Museums in Adams County, Pennsylvania Category:Presidential homes in the United States Category:Protected areas of Adams County, Pennsylvania