Dancing the Night Away at the Gettysburg Hotel
By Joseph Bordonaro · Originally published January 2018 · pp. 1–27
GETTYSBURG, Penn.— Many people believe that spirits of slain soldiers visit the place of their wounding or death, and the town of Gettysburg, Penn., has a cottage industry of sorts devoted to taking people around town to hear stories of these spirits. It might make more sense, though, to visit places where slain soldiers would be more likely to visit, such as a ballroom in a town where a battle was fought. If this is true, then the Gettysburg Hotel ballroom might be just the place to seek spirits of departed soldiers who are themselves seeking a place of joy where people can be seen eating and dancing as they would have in 1863. Established as a tavern in 1797, at the time of the Battle the tavern was called McClellan’s Brother’s, after the name of its then-current owners. Several ghosts are, in fact, now said to haunt the 1890’s hotel built on the site of the old tavern. These ghosts include “Rebecca,” a woman who nursed wounded soldiers, a wounded soldier, and a woman who has been seen dancing in the ballroom.
Whether or not you believe these stories, the ballroom in the Gettysburg Hotel is an excellent place to enjoy a banquet dinner and participate in 1860’s era ballroom dancing. The organizers of the Remembrance Day dinner and ball, John and Nancy Newbold of Gettysburg, Penn., and Karen Duffy of St. Louis, Mo., have been presenting their event since 2003. There are several other celebrations on the Saturday of Remembrance Day, including the largest one, held at the Eisenhower Hotel and Conference Center. Since it would be very difficult to attend all the affairs in one night, this story features photographs from only the one held at the Gettysburg Hotel. This is not meant to slight the other balls, which are very fine affairs. Perhaps in the future, additional stories will feature them. In the meantime, please enjoy the accompanying photos of dancers enjoying the Gettysburg Hotel ball. John and Nancy Newbold hosted the dinner and ball.
Dancers prepare for beginning of a quadrille.
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Members of the Fleeting Moments Waltz and Quickstep Orchestra take a break. Their music was very well received by the dancers.