Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The David Wills House
Father of Soldiers' National Cemetery
Built circa 1814, this structure is perhaps best known in Gettysburg. In 1863, it was the home of David Wills and his family.
Wills, a prominent local attorney, is traditionally given credit as being the father of the Soldiers' National Cemetery, proposing that Pennsylvania provide " a common burial ground for the [Union] dead." This idea was supported and quickly implemented by all the states whose sons died at Gettysburg.
President Abraham Lincoln was the overnight guest of David Wills the day preceeding the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery. It was at the dedication ceremony on November 19, 1863, that Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address.
It is believed that Lincoln polished and rehearsed the brief text of his speech during his stay in this house a speech which forever established the concept that our government is " of the people, by the people, for the people "
[Caption:]
The David Wills house, circa 1885, looking just as it did on November 18-19, 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln stayed the night. The dedication procession formed in the street seen here in the foreground.
Courtesy of Adams County Historical Society / Beyond the Battle Museum
Erected 2024
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Communications • Government & Politics • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania, Main Street Gettysburg series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 19, 1863.
Location. 39° 49.852′ N, 77° 13.841′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is at the intersection of York Street (U.S. 30) and Lincoln Square (U.S. 30), on the right when traveling east on York Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8 Lincoln Square, Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At
Other markers no longer nearby. The Wills House (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Return Visit (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); "by the skin of our teeth" (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 14, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
