Wonder Women of Gettysburg: Hidden Valor Tour

The Ones Left Behind

Did you know that several women disguised themselves and fought in the Battle of Gettysburg? One of the most documented is Mary Siezgle, who fought alongside her husband in the 44th New York Infantry.

Wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters have watched their men go off to war for generations, hoping they hadn’t seen the last of them. But rather than stay at home pining from the sidelines, many women of the Civil War era found ways to serve their country that didn’t involve taking up arms. Whether running their family business, volunteering as a nurse, or documenting their experiences to be shared with the next generation, these women challenged the conventions of their time and were a force to be reckoned with.

“As a woman, it was exciting to hear Civil War stories that I could relate to — I really felt connected to these women.”

What is the Wonder Women of Gettysburg: Hidden Valor Tour about?

While history covers the famous, our Gettysburg Wonder Woman Tour dives into the stories of the regular people of Gettysburg, women specifically, who protected the vulnerable, nursed the injured, buried the dead, and kept life as safe as possible for the families left behind as men went off to fight.

We’ll learn about the women who have statues erected about them or homes named for them—Tillie Pierce, Jennie Wade, Elizabeth Thorn—as well as women you may never have heard of—Mary McAllister, Sallie Myers and Philinda Humiston—who had a big impact on this small town during its darkest hours.

What you will see on this tour:

Our walking tour takes you through 1.7 miles of Gettysburg real estate, visiting the different sites linked to the women of Gettysburg. Amongst them you will:

• Hear the stories of 15-year-old Tillie Pierce
• Visit the home of Jennie Wade, Gettysburg’s single civilian casualty
• Learn about the Evergreen Cemetery caretaker, Elizabeth Thorn
• Uncover the stories of enslaved women escaping from the south
• … And many more.

We will stop at each site and relive the amazing stories of these women– heroes who were living their daily lives during a turbulent time in history.

Come join us on this amazing tour, and experience the lesser-known histories that have shaped who we are today.

“The best protection any woman can have… is courage.”

— Elizabeth Cady Stanton