Thaddeus Stevens Chronicles No. 34

 Gettysburg needs a Thaddeus Stevens museum

October 2023

By Ross Hetrick

The Thaddeus Stevens Society is launching a fundraising effort to create a Gettysburg museum for one of its most important historic personalities.

To raise this money, the Society is participating in the Giving Spree, held by the Adams County Community Foundation, that will occur on November 9 at Gettysburg Middle School from 3 to 7 p.m. We are trying to raise $14,000 to rent a location. We will also begin an endowment fund to provide money for the long term. More information about the Giving Spree is at this link:  Giving Spree

Gettysburg needs a Thaddeus Stevens museum because of his incredible importance to  Adams County and to the country as a whole. The museum would also add an extra dimension to the tourism experience, going beyond the military aspects of the Civil War and detailing how the war changed the foundations of America. 

Thaddeus Stevens came to Gettysburg in 1816 at the age of 24 and within 20 years, he became one of its leading citizens. He was a prominent attorney involved in local and state politics. He helped establish Gettysburg College, started iron mills and worked to start a water works, a library and a bank. He moved to Lancaster, PA in 1842 and became the most powerful congressman during and after the Civil War. But despite the move, Stevens maintained his ties with Gettysburg, coming back regularly to oversee his iron mill at what is now Caledonia state park and attending the college's board of trustee meetings.

During the last 24 years, the Thaddeus Stevens Society has collected a treasure trove of Stevens artifacts. These include letters from Stevens, period newspapers, books about Stevens, postcards and pictures related to Stevens and even two stoves made at his two iron works. These artifacts are now stored in a residential apartment in Gettysburg and are available for viewing by contacting the Society at info@thaddeusstevenssociety.com or 717-347-8159.

Gettysburg is the perfect place for a Stevens museum because Gettysburg is the capital of the Civil War. Tourists can learn about the battle that changed the course of the war and then learn about how Stevens and other politicians changed the course of American politics.

A location for the office and museum has not been determined. But a good location would be the McPherson house at the corner of Carlisle and Stevens Street. This house was the home of Edward McPherson, a Stevens associate who was the clerk of the House of Representatives and he played a key role in keeping ex-Confederates out of Congress after the Civil War. The house has been maintained in pristine 19th century condition by the McPherson family. Gettysburg College, which now owns the house, is not using the house and has not announced any future plans.

Another possible location is the first block of Chambersburg Street where Stevens's home was before it was torn down in the 1920s.  Various storefronts on this block come up for rent at various times. 

But first the money must be raised for the project and you are urged to make those contributions through the Giving Spree.  Besides your donation, the Society will also receive a matching donation that will be determined by the total amount that the Giving Spree collects for all charities.  If you plan to participate in the Giving Spree, please let us know by email info@thaddeusstevenssociety.com or call 717-347-8159.

Ross Hetrick is president of the Thaddeus Stevens Society, which is dedicated to promoting Stevens's important legacy. More information about the Great Commoner can be found at the society's website: https://www.thaddeusstevenssociety.com/