Eisenhower National Historic Site

About Eisenhower National Historic Site

The Eisenhower National Historic Site preserves the only home President Dwight D. Eisenhower ever owned, a working farm adjacent to the Gettysburg Battlefield where he and Mamie entertained world leaders and enjoyed peaceful country life. Just 25 minutes from Pine Ridge, this site offers intimate access to presidential history.

Eisenhower first discovered this land while stationed at nearby Camp Colt during WWI. Decades later, as Supreme Allied Commander and then President, he returned to purchase the farm as a retreat from Washington. Here, Eisenhower hosted world leaders including Nikita Khrushchev, Charles de Gaulle, and Winston Churchill, conducting "barn diplomacy" in the pastoral setting.

The home remains preserved exactly as the Eisenhowers left it, filled with their personal belongings, artwork, and gifts from world leaders. Mamie's pink bathroom, Ike's putting green, and the show cattle facilities tell the story of a couple who loved this place deeply.

Ranger-led tours explore the main house, revealing rooms where Cold War decisions were discussed and where the Eisenhowers lived their final years. The surrounding farm includes the cattle barns, equipment, and grounds that Ike actively managed. Special programs explore different aspects of Eisenhower's military career, presidency, and personal life.

Access to the site is via shuttle bus from the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center, making it easy to combine with battlefield exploration. For Pine Ridge campers interested in 20th-century history, this site provides a uniquely personal perspective on a president who shaped the modern world.

What to Expect

• Preserved Home: The house contains original furnishings, personal items, and gifts from world leaders - preserved exactly as when the Eisenhowers lived here.
• Cold War Diplomacy: This farm hosted meetings with Khrushchev, de Gaulle, Churchill, and other leaders. "Barn diplomacy" happened in this pastoral setting.
• Working Farm: Eisenhower actively managed his show cattle operation. The barns, equipment, and grounds reflect his genuine love of farming.
• Ranger Programs: National Park Service rangers lead tours exploring different aspects of Eisenhower's life, from D-Day to the Interstate Highway System.