Spirits Speak Orphanage

The cellar is where the mood changes. Spirits Speak Orphanage combines the Battle of Gettysburg, the National Soldiers Orphanage, and live ghost storytelling in a compact 90-minute tour. I like the small advertised group size of 10, which should make it easier to hear the guide and ask questions. I also like the unusual use of costumed ghost characters, including Miss Rosa, Dr. John, and an undertaker.

The main drawback is that this is as much a grim history experience as a ghost tour. Much of the story concerns the harsh treatment of orphaned children, so the material can feel upsetting rather than merely spooky. If you want nonstop paranormal activity, you may find the historical storytelling slow at first.

Key details before you book

• The story begins at East Cemetery Hill, a key location during the Battle of Gettysburg, before moving into the National Soldiers Orphanage Homestead.
• The building once served as General O. O. Howard’s headquarters and a wartime hospital, then became an orphanage for children whose fathers died in the Civil War.
• The guides perform as ghost characters, with past tours featuring Miss Rosa, Dr. John, and an undertaker.
• The cellar is the emotional and paranormal high point, with stories of abuse and an option to use an EMF reader.
• The experience lasts about 90 minutes, starts and ends at 778 Baltimore Street, and costs $20 per person.
• The published maximum is 10 people, though one account described a larger group, so I would confirm group size if intimacy matters to you.

Starting at East Cemetery Hill

The tour begins at 778 Baltimore St. in Gettysburg, then orients you to East Cemetery Hill. This is not just a convenient place to gather. It was the site of heavy fighting during the Battle of Gettysburg, giving the tour a serious Civil War setting before the ghost story even begins.

That opening matters because the orphanage story is tied directly to the war. The building you visit first served as headquarters for General O. O. Howard during the battle. It was also used as a hospital during and after the fighting.

You get a quick sense of how one building can carry several chapters of Gettysburg’s past. Military command, medical treatment, and care for children all belong to the same structure. The tour uses that overlap to connect battlefield history with the later stories of the orphanage.

I would pay close attention here, even if you came mainly for ghosts. The East Cemetery Hill introduction gives the rest of the evening a firmer setting. Without it, the orphanage could feel like a spooky old building. With it, the place becomes part of a much larger local story.

Entering the National Soldiers Orphanage Homestead

After the outdoor orientation, the group enters the National Soldiers Orphanage Homestead. Following the Civil War, the building became an orphanage for children whose fathers had been lost in the conflict. That is the point where the tour shifts from battlefield events to the lives of the children who lived there.

The guide presents the story through a character rather than a standard lecture. That performance style is one of the experience’s defining features. A guide may appear as Miss Rosa, Dr. John, or the undertaker, and each character brings a different tone to the evening.

Miss Rosa received especially strong praise for her portrayal. The character is connected to the orphanage’s head mistress and to the cruel treatment of the children. The performance can be theatrical, particularly at the beginning, but it also gives the guide a clear way to explain the building and its past.

I like this approach when you want a tour that keeps moving. Instead of standing in a room while someone recites dates, you hear the story through a figure tied to the setting. The method is not for everyone. If you prefer quiet interpretation and documentary detail, the acting may feel too heavy-handed.

Still, the best guides appear to balance character work with real explanation. Chris, in particular, was praised for holding the attention of both adults and children while explaining the orphanage’s history. Other successful guides included Tom, Cheryl, Mike as the undertaker, and a guide performing as Dr. John.

Why the orphanage story feels heavier than a normal ghost walk

This is not a light haunted-house attraction. The central story involves children who had already lost their fathers, followed by accounts of cruelty and abuse inside the orphanage.

The most disturbing material concerns Miss Rosa and the treatment of the children. The story includes punishment, abuse, and suffering in the lower parts of the building. The guide’s performance may make those scenes feel immediate, so you should think about your group before booking.

A seven-year-old was reported to enjoy the tour, while a three-year-old did not really understand what was happening and was not especially frightened. Another family strongly advised against bringing children under 12 because of the basement material and the emotional weight of the story.

There is no stated minimum age in the tour information. I would treat this as a judgment call. Older children who enjoy history and can handle serious subjects may find it gripping. Young children may miss the historical context, and some parts may simply be too upsetting.

The subject matter is also why the experience can work for people who do not believe in ghosts. You are not required to accept paranormal claims to appreciate the account of the orphanage. The historical narrative and the guide’s acting provide most of the substance.

The basement and cellar: the strongest part of the tour

The tour’s most memorable section is the basement or cellar. The language varies in the accounts, but the lower level is clearly the place where the atmosphere becomes most intense.

Here, the guide explains the further abuse and torture associated with Miss Rosa. The story is bleak, and one guide reportedly used jokes earlier in the tour before bringing the group into the cellar. That contrast gives you a moment to relax before the mood turns serious.

The stairs are narrow and steep. This is an important practical point if you have mobility concerns. The tour information says most people can participate, but the basement access may be difficult for anyone who struggles with steep stairs.

The cellar is also where the paranormal element becomes more active. Depending on the guide and the group, you may be invited to use an EMF reader and see if you can detect something unusual. Some people may also try taking photos in hopes of capturing an orb or another unexplained image.

You should keep your expectations measured. Several accounts describe interesting sensations, photos, or personal experiences, but others report no strong paranormal activity. The tour does not promise a dramatic supernatural event. Its better value comes from the combination of setting, storytelling, and the chance to test the atmosphere for yourself.

For me, that uncertainty is part of the appeal. The EMF reader does not prove anything, but it gives the group something to do besides listen. You can treat it as a paranormal experiment, a bit of theater, or simply a way to join in without taking the claims too seriously.

How the guides shape the experience

The guide is the biggest variable here. The tour relies heavily on performance, timing, and the ability to move between acting and explanation.

Chris earned particularly strong praise for her portrayal of Miss Rosa. Her character work was described as detailed, energetic, and convincing. She also appears to be good at engaging different age groups, which matters if your party includes children or people with different interests.

Mike, playing the undertaker, used humor with an adult group. That can be useful on a tour with such grim subject matter. A little levity gives you room to breathe before the cellar section.

Dr. John provided another approach, with a focus on explaining the orphanage and its ghostly stories. Cheryl was described as warm and informative while discussing the home and nearby events. The names and roles may vary by departure, so you should not book expecting one specific performer unless the company confirms it.

The acting is not subtle in the way a quiet museum guide might be. One account found the opening too theatrical, while another found the character presentation to be the main reason the tour worked. If you enjoy live storytelling, this is a plus. If you prefer a restrained historical talk, it may take patience.

Price, timing, and group size

At $20 per person, the tour offers a reasonable amount of content for 90 minutes. You get the East Cemetery Hill orientation, the orphanage homestead, Civil War context, live character storytelling, and access to the cellar.

That price is especially fair if you value a guide who performs rather than simply points out rooms. It is less compelling if you expect a long walking route or a guaranteed paranormal encounter. The tour is concentrated in one area, with roughly half the time spent walking and half sitting according to one account.

The published maximum is 10 people. That should create a more personal setting, especially in the basement where you may want to hear quiet comments or ask about the EMF reader. One account described a group of 20, so group sizes may occasionally differ from the published limit or reflect a particular departure. If a small group is essential, confirm before setting your expectations.

The activity starts and ends at 778 Baltimore Street. It is near public transportation, and mobile tickets are accepted. The tour is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and the general participation guidance says most people can take part.

It is also commonly booked well ahead of time, with an average booking lead time of about 24 days. That does not mean you must reserve three weeks out, but it is a useful warning for a busy Gettysburg weekend.

Who will enjoy this Gettysburg tour

I would recommend Spirits Speak Orphanage to you if you like history with a theatrical frame. The Civil War background is not decoration. It explains why the building existed, who lived there, and why the orphanage became part of Gettysburg’s ghost lore.

It also suits people who want a shorter evening activity. Ninety minutes is long enough to tell a full story but short enough to fit around dinner or another Gettysburg attraction.

Families should decide based on maturity, not just age. The acting may hold a seven-year-old’s attention, but the abuse stories and cellar scenes are serious. I would be cautious with young children and ask older children how they handle frightening or upsetting history.

People with mobility issues should think carefully about the narrow, steep basement stairs. The walking is not described as extensive, but the lower level may still be a problem.

This tour is less suitable if your only goal is to see unexplained activity. No experience is guaranteed, and some groups report no strong paranormal event. The strongest reason to go is the storytelling, with the ghost investigation element added on top.

A practical plan for the evening

Arrive ready to stand, walk, sit, and listen. The experience is not a long battlefield march, but it is not completely stationary either.

Wear shoes that feel secure on stairs. The basement access is narrow and steep, and comfortable footwear will make the transition easier.

Keep your phone available for the mobile ticket, but do not expect technology to carry the experience. The guide and the building provide most of the atmosphere. If you want to take photos or try to capture an orb, follow the guide’s instructions and respect the tone of the stories being told.

Give yourself a little emotional space after the tour. The final cellar section concerns children who suffered serious abuse, and the story can land harder than a typical ghost walk. That weight is part of the experience, but it is worth knowing before you arrive.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses Gettysburg local time.

Should you book Spirits Speak Orphanage?

Book it if you want a history-led ghost tour with strong character acting, a compact schedule, and a memorable cellar setting. At $20, it is a fair pick for an evening in Gettysburg, especially if your group likes both Civil War history and paranormal stories.

Skip it if you want a quiet museum-style visit, have trouble with steep stairs, or prefer ghost tours that focus almost entirely on unexplained activity. The orphanage’s abuse story takes up much of the experience, and the supernatural side is not guaranteed.

My advice is to go in expecting a serious historical story first and a ghost investigation second. With that expectation, the tour’s theatrical guides, grim setting, and emotional final stop can make it one of the more distinctive short activities in Gettysburg.

FAQ

How long does Spirits Speak Orphanage last?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $20 per person.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at 778 Baltimore St., Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point on Baltimore Street.

What locations are included?

The experience includes an orientation around East Cemetery Hill and a visit inside the National Soldiers Orphanage Homestead.

What was the orphanage building used for during the Civil War?

The building served as headquarters for General O. O. Howard and was also used as a hospital during and after the Battle of Gettysburg.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Are children allowed on the tour?

The provided information does not state an age limit. Some children have attended without being too frightened, but the tour includes disturbing stories about abuse and suffering. Use your judgment, especially for young children.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.