In 1950, the Eisenhowers bought a farm adjacent to Gettysburg National Park.  They donated their home to the National Park Service in 1967 but continued to live there.  You cannot reach the Eisenhower Farm by car, but by shuttle bus from the Visitor’s Center.  Tickets cost $7.50 per person (annual park passes don’t apply).  We had never visited a president’s home before and this was a real thrill for us to experience Ike and Mamie’s home.

As you cross through the vestibule, this wonderful bronze plaque catches your eye saying “Bess This House”.  With the beautiful words:  “Bless these windows shining bright.  Letting in God’s heav’nly light.  Bless the hearth ablazing there.  With smoke ascending like a prayer.  Bless the people here within.  Keep them pure and free from sin.  Bless us all that we may be.  Fit O Lord to dwell with thee.  Bless us all that we one day May dwell O Lord with thee.”

The living room is filled with pictures, family heirlooms and gifts from important foreign dignitaries.

The Eisenhowers seldom used this room, mainly because Ike considered it “stuffy”.

The room they used more was the sun porch.  Here they entertained many distinguished guests.  The “footstool” between these two chairs is a camel saddle.

In his retirement, Ike wanted to farm and paint.  His paintings hang throughout the home.  In the corner of the sun porch is a painting he was working on at the time of his death.

It is a painting of the famous Scottish Culzean Castle.

The formal dining room was used for special family dinners and when dining with guests, but the Eisenhowers preferred to eat on tray tables on the sun porch.

This room is called “The General’s Room”.  It was Ike’s dressing room and after his 1955 heart attack, it was used for his afternoon naps.

Ike was allowed to decorate one room in the house, and here it is, his man cave.

This small building attached to this large barn is the milk house.  It was used as the Secret Service office during Ike’s two terms as president and then again following the assassination of President Kennedy.

Behind the house there is a rose garden, a tea house and a greenhouse.  The Eisenhowers grew vegetables, herbs and flowers here and had cookouts.

The tour of the family room and den are ranger led tours, then the remainder of the house and the grounds are self paced.  There is a set of activities for children to become a “Junior Secret Service Agent” where they can receive a patch and a certificate.  Return shuttles run every hour and visitors can take any one they choose.