In the town where Abraham Lincoln once called for a “new birth of freedom,” a long-anticipated vision is becoming reality. Gettysburg History has officially launched its Capital Campaign to establish the Hopkins House Museum, which will be the town’s first museum dedicated to Black history.
The Hopkins House, a 1840s log cabin located at 219 South Washington Street, Gettysburg, was once home to Jack and Julia Hopkins, respected community leaders. It is the last surviving Civil War–era house in town that was owned by Black citizens. After years of deterioration and condemnation, the landmark will be restored to its original form and expanded with a modern museum addition.
The new museum will highlight Gettysburg’s Black history from the town’s earliest years, through the Civil War and Reconstruction, and into the Civil Rights movement of the 20th century. Organizers note that while many visitors know Gettysburg for its battlefield, fewer realize that a vibrant Black community has long been part of the town’s story. The Hopkins House aims to ensure those stories are finally told.
The Capital Campaign will officially launch with a press conference and reception on Saturday, October 4, at 3 p.m. The event will feature remarks from acclaimed actress and playwright Anna Deavere Smith, the great-great-granddaughter of Basil Biggs, a key Black figure in Gettysburg who helped rebury Union soldiers in the National Cemetery. Other speakers include Jean Green, president of the Lincoln Cemetery Project Association, and Andrew Dalton, president and CEO of Gettysburg History, along with community leaders and dignitaries.
Following the announcement, guests are invited to a reception with light refreshments at the historic Gettysburg Academy, located directly across the street from the Hopkins House.
Source: Gettysburg History