"My kids are 7 and 9 and absolutely loved this place. They learned so much. The staff was wonderful, and the hands on activities and stories of kids living through the war made everything come to life for them. We spent 2 hours there, and they are already asking to go back."
Becky C. - Facebook
Family Friendly
Located at 451 Baltimore Street, the historic Rupp HouseTM is home to Children of Gettysburg 1863®, Gettysburg's most family-friendly interactive children's history museum adventure.
Meet the children of Gettysburg, 1863.
More than a typical children's museum, Children of Gettysburg 1863® tells the stories of the children, teens and young adults who lived here during and after the battle.
Home to Children of Gettysburg 1863®, the historic Rupp HouseTM was the property of John and Caroline Rupp and their six children in 1863. It was truly a family home.
It still is today.
Fun & Educational
Why visit the Children of Gettysburg 1863®?
Feel the beat of the drum. Listen closely to the rumors of battle. Picture yourself as a character at Gettysburg.
Your family will touch, listen and learn its way through a fun and engaging journey back to 1863.
- Introducing the children of Gettysburg, 1863: Now there is more for families to do in Gettysburg. Experience engaging first-hand accounts from the children who lived here during the battle including William Bayly, Albertus McCreary, Sadie Bushman and Tillie Pierce.
- Finding Meaning: Find the objects in our story scavenger hunt. Gain an understanding of what children experienced during and after the battle. Find and take home meaning in the activities from the Gettysburg Address and the Gettysburg National Cemetery to historic preservation and documenting memories.
- Living History: Interact with living historians on the grounds of the historic Rupp HouseTM on select dates and summer weekends.
Adventure for Children
During your visit, you will introduce your child to Gettysburg and its significance while supporting a new generation of young learners on an interactive start to a lifetime of learning, inspiration and creativity.
- Informed Imagination: Your journey through galleries like "Growing Up in Gettysburg 1863," "The Soldiers are Coming," "Surviving the Battle" and "Remembering Gettysburg" provides a history-based setting for creativity, discovery and learning.
- Hands-on History: Children of Gettysburg 1863® invites families and groups with children in grades K-5—and those young at heart—to touch and learn, seek and explore, create and inspire.
- Interactive Activities: Lift the soldier's equipment pack and feel the weight of what a Civil War soldier carried. Find a place to safely hide during the battle. Stand at the podium to deliver the Gettysburg Address.
At A Glance
Children (0-5) Free with ticketed adult.
Friends of Gettysburg: Free
Adults: $9.95
Senior 65+: $8.95
AAA Member: $8.95
U.S. Military Veterans & Active Duty: $8.95
Hours:
Spring | Summer | Fall
April 1 - Oct. 14:
Daily | 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Winter
Oct. 15 - March 31:
Thursday - Sunday
Noon - 5 p.m.
Annual Holiday Closures
Thanksgiving Day | Christmas Eve | Christmas Day | New Year's Day
Important Information:
Timed tickets are issued for all show times for the children's interactive history museum.
Admission tickets are issued for youth (age 6-12) and children (age 0-5) with a ticketed adult.
Current schedule: Museum adventures begin every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. The final museum adventure of the day begins at 5:30 p.m.
Connect with the Gettysburg Foundation and Children of Gettysburg 1863®
Safety & Prohibited
Items Policy
For the safety of all guests, staff and volunteers, as well as the preservation of the historic Rupp HouseTM and property, please observe all safety and prohibited items policies at the Children of Gettysburg 1863® and all Gettysburg Foundation facilities and grounds.
Museums for All®
Initiative
Through Museums for All, individuals and families receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can enjoy free admission to the Children of Gettysburg 1863® museum adventure.
Visitors must present their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card and a valid photo ID inside the children's history museum to receive their admission tickets.
This offer is available only on-site for up to four individuals per EBT card and cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions.
Named a Top 10Best Children’s Museum in the Nation
Recognized a USA Today’s 10Best Reader’s Choice travel awards in the category of best children’s museum in 2024 & 2025
In Grateful Recognition
David & Sherri Malgee | Ford Motor Company Fund | David E. Wilkins & Shelly A. Malecha | Robert Geneczko & Family | Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission | The Sites Family
John & Gertrude Echement | Richard & Gail Barrett | Robert & Marion Wilson | Dr. Barbara Chamberlain |
The Friends of Gettysburg
Wesley W. & Kelly Von Schack | Mike & Patti Sipple | Thomas & Felicetta Ryan | Jay & Kimberlee Steckman | Robert & Jennifer Sneed | Brobyn Foundation | Bruce W. Kramer | Daniel Dreyfuss & Sandra Ehnen | James F. Austin & Family | Ken & Susan Boardman | Robert Tice & Sharon Jackson Tice | Jim Michaels | Barbara J. Finfrock | James A. Carver | Adams County Historical Society | The Shriver House Museum
Operational funding has been provided by a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission's Cultural and Historical Support Program, a program funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Exhibits & Tours
Film, Cyclorama & Museum Experience
Battlefield Value Package
Film Cyclorama & Museum + Battlefield Bus Tour
Make the most of your Gettysburg visit. Package the Film, Cyclorama and Museum with a battlefield bus tour for one memorable Gettysburg experience.
Tour the Battlefield
By Bus. By Car.
Step onto the hallowed ground and experience Little Round Top (when available, after the rehabilitation project is completed), Devil's Den and the Angle beyond the history books and movies. You'll tour the battlefield with a Licensed Battlefield Guide either in your car or by motor coach.
Battlefield Car Tour
Personalized Experience
Don’t miss a thing on your guided Battlefield Car Tour. Either onboard or point to point, your License Battlefield Guide will provide you with plenty of stops to answer your questions and enjoy your own private tour of the battlefield.
Call to reserve your guided battlefield car tour: 877-874-2478 or 717-334-2436
Gettysburg Cyclorama
Experience Pickett's Charge
Originally displayed in 1884, the Battle of Gettysburg Cyclorama is a massive fully-restored, 360-degree painting that places you in the middle of Pickett’s Charge on the decisive third day of the Battle.
Experience the Cyclorama as part of the Film, Cyclorama & Museum Package.
Ticket to the Past—Unforgettable Journeys
A Virtual Reality Experience
NEW in the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center!
Journey back to 1863 in this cinematic, immersive virtual reality experience. Groundbreaking virtual reality technology transports you to Gettysburg 1863. Immerse yourself in powerful stories of those who passed through Gettysburg's railroad station.
Children of Gettysburg 1863®
Family-Friendly Adventure
Gettysburg's most family-friendly, interactive children's history museum. More than a typical children's museum, Children of Gettysburg 1863® tells the engaging stories of the children, teens and young adults who lived in and near Gettysburg during and after the 1863 battle.
Plan Your Visit to Gettysburg.
Whether you are visiting for the first time, or you return year-after-year, we can help you plan your visit.