Every Building Tells A Story

Every Building Tells A Story

Every Sunday night a small group of locals (6-10 of us), including myself, gather at The Swope Manor Bed & Breakfast for an evening of fellowship, fun, laughs and most important of all – exquisite food.

Located at 60 York Street, right in the first block of the square, George Swope purchased the property in 1836 and built the current brick structure you see today. Prior to this, the first structure built on this lot was a log home in 1793 by our town’s founder and namesake James Gettys. Prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, in 1860 George added an addition of a half story as well as the ornate trim you see around the roof, windows and entrance today. This building, and the Swope family, have a storied history that you can read about at www.theswopemanor.com. Current owners John and Lori Jumba purchased the property in 2012 and completely remodeled and restored it to what it is today.

Speaking of today, The Swope Manor is much more than a regular Bed & Breakfast. With the addition of Executive Chef Karl Held, John and Lori are happy to announce the opening of “George’s at The Swope” for casual fine dining and take out. Appropriately named after George Swope, “George’s” is a great new addition to the Gettysburg culinary scene. Open for dinner to the public for in-house dining (social distancing dining is provided outside and throughout the house) and curbside take out, “George’s” is open Thursday through Sunday from 4pm until 9pm. Call ahead for reservations and find out what culinary delights are on the menu.

So many of our buildings in town have such a history to them that may not be Civil War related. This month I turn a number in the high 40’s – let’s just leave it at that. I loved how Gettysburg was when I was growing up and how things have changed. I remember the David Wills House being a museum upstairs, but the lower level being a Rea & Derrick, then People’s Drug Store, for a short time CVS and then it was the Antique Center of Gettysburg. I love seeing where new brick and old brick meet, where a window or door may have been. The restoration in this town is beautiful and the revitalization projects have been much needed. Don’t laugh, but a lot of seniors would write in their yearbook that their goal was to “get out of Gettysburg” I didn’t write that, and I’m glad I stayed to see our stories unfold. We’re more than a Civil War town.

​For a complete listing of GARMA members, who just might happen to be in some of these storied older buildings, visit www.gettysburgretailmerchants.com.

Jennie Dillon is the Vice President of GARMA, owner of Artworks on York St and Events Manager at Gettysburg Rental Center

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