Constructed in 1816 and renovated in the late 1850’s when it was purchased by local lawyer David Wills, the David Wills House provided lodgings to President Abraham Lincoln the night before he delivered the Gettysburg Address. In town to dedicate the National Cemetery that was conceived by David Wills to honor the fallen of the Battle of Gettysburg, President Lincoln completed his historic address in the now commemorated “Lincoln Bedroom.”.
The National Park Service recently worked in partnership with the Borough of Gettysburg to restore this important historic landmark to its Civil War state, and GWWO was the architect selected to work with the NPS to complete this exterior restoration and interior rehabilitation project. Renovations were conducted to accommodate permanent and changing exhibitions, classroom/conference rooms, library, archives, retail facilities, offices and visitor services and support spaces. The project also included exterior façade restoration to its 1889 appearance, including coordination with the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Officer.
Details
- Exhibits, classrooms, library, archives, retail facilities, visitor services
- Structural stabilization & improvements
- New systems integrated into existing historic fabric
- ADA upgrades and design of a new elevator tower addition