Henry Spangler Farm Summer Kitchen - Gettysburg National Military Park Historic District - Gettysburg, PA - NRHP Historic Districts - Contributing Buildings on Waymarking.com

The Battle of Gettysburg, like almost all Civil War battles, raged over the private property of ordinary farmers and citizens. The buildings on these properties, if they were not destroyed, were often converted into field hospitals to treat wounded and dying soldiers. Such was the case with the Summer Kitchen. Wounded Union soldiers were taken to a field hospital established at and around the Spangler farmhouse and summer kitchen. The soldiers who died there were buried on Spangler’s property.

The summer kitchen dates back to 1880 and was in need of renovation, fortunately help was on the way. In March 2011, the Civil War Trust embarked upon a project to preserve two key parcels along the historic Baltimore Pike. During the Battle of Gettysburg these parcels were part of Henry Spangler's farm, where scores of Union and Confederate dead were buried. The following was taken from the Civil War Trust site: Burial records indicate the names and units of more than 70 soldiers buried on Spangler’s property. The greatest number was buried on “the north side of the field, near the woods.” This group included 25 soldiers of the 137th New York, including two 18-year olds – Benjamin Clark and Ira Martin -- both from Danby, New York. Pennsylvanian James O. Butcher was buried "on the north side of H. Spangler's house,", in addition to John Williams, the 18-year old Ohioan who was buried in his orchard. Other listings for Spangler's property are not so specific. Thomas Ochs of the 109th PA, for instance, was buried on Spangler's property, "near the road," perhaps on the very land that we preserved in 2011. SOURCE

Henry Spangler Farm Summer Kitchen is a contributing feature to the Gettysburg National Military Park Historic District which is nationally significant under NR Criteria A, B, C & D for association Areas of Significance: Military, Politics/Government, Landscape Architecture, Conservation, Archeology-Historic. Period of Significance: 1863-1938. The original National Register Nomination was approved by the Keeper March 19, 1975. An update to this nomination was approved by the Keeper on January 23, 2004. The house is registered as structure number 140 on the nomination form.

From the Nomination Form:
This building post-dates the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg but it still falls within the period of significance of the park. It contributes to the integrity of the agricultural battlefield landscape by maintaining the historic spatial organization and cluster arrangement of the 1863 farmstead building complex.

Short Physical Description:
1-story, 2 bay, gable roof outbuilding 21'x14' w/ 1 story lean-to 9'x12' attached to W. Vernacular style building of board & batten siding w/ fruit cellar, built in 1880.

Long Physical Description:
N/A