The Joseph Sherfy House

The Joseph Sherfy House-Gettysburg

The Joseph Sherfy house saw a lot of action during the 3 day Battle of Gettysburg. The which is located on the west side of the Emmitsburg Rd, was occupied by Joseph and Mary Sherfy during the battle. Joesph was a farmer who ran a number of peach and apple orchards in the area. The famous peach orchard which saw some of the heaviest fighting during the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg is across the street for the Sherfy home.

The Sherfy's spent July 1st, baking bread and getting water for the soldiers that were were beginning to arrive in Gettysburg. By the next day it as clear that the Sherfy's best option was to leave the home for safer ground. A wise choice as the family farm would see not only heavy action at during the battle at the Peach Orchard, but also on July 3rd as many Confederate soldiers passed through the area surrounding the Sherfy home during Picketts Charge.

The Sherfy family returned home to find their home and farm had received major damage. The vast majority of the peach trees in the orchard were destroyed, the barn was burned to the ground, and damage to the property went to approximately $3000. The Sherfy home itself was riddled with bullets and shell fragments. As was the case with most homes that sustained damage during the Civil War the Sherfy family received little if any compensation for the damage incurred.

The home is a good example of a Georgian/Adam style home. Note the dual chimney's and small rectangular panes above the door, (Georgian) as well as the double hung sash windows with six over six panes, (Adam). The wonderful part is that these homes on the Gettysburg battlefield are well maintained by Gettysburg National Battlefield Park and are usually used as residences for Park Staff and Personnel

Wonderful example of the popular barn construction popular barn style known as the "bank barn".

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