Thompson House/ General Lee's Headquarters

 museum, interesting place

The house was built in 1834 and at the time of the Civil War was owned by Thaddeus Stevens. On July 1, 1863 General Robert E. Lee established his headquarters in this stone house. At the time of the battle, the house was the dwelling place of Mrs. Mary Thompson.

In the Spring of 1922 the house was opened to the public as the Lee Museum by Mr. C. F. Daley who began displaying artifacts and relics found on the battlefield and brought back to town by visiting veterans. Since that time, the museum has been in continuous operation and remains one of the oldest museums in Gettysburg.

At the time of the battle of Gettysburg, the Thompson house was probably a duplex. The eastern side of the house was occupied during the period of the battle, while the western side was occupied by the widow Thompson. Lee's staff chose this house not only because of this close proximity to the center of the Confederate line, but also because the house with its thick wall afforded the General some physical protection from artillery shells.