The Bryan House at Gettysburg
The Brian (Bryan) farm is on the Gettysburg battlefield just south of town in Ziegler’s Grove on both sides of Hancock Avenue. The farmhouse is on the east side, and the barn is on the west. (Hancock Avenue at Ziegler’s Grove tour map)
It was the home to Abraham Brian (often spelled Bryan). He was an African-American widower with five children. Brian bought the farm in 1857 when he married his third wife, Elizabeth. The twelve acre farm grew wheat, barley and hay. It also had had a small apple and peach orchard.
The small farmhouse with two rooms and a loft became the headquarters of General Alexander Hays’ Division of the Union 2nd Army Corps. It was on the front lines during the fighting on July 2nd and 3rd.
When Brian returned to his home after the battle he found it ransacked. His fences, crops and orchards were nearly destroyed. The field west of his house was a huge graveyard. Brian put his property back into order and resumed farming the land until 1869, when he went to work in a local hotel. He petitioned the government for $1,028 in restitution but received only $15. He died in 1875 and is buried in Gettysburg with his first two wives.
The house and barn have both been reconstructed and belong to the National Park Service. The Brian Farm wayside marker is in front of the farmhouse.
The Bryan barn, facing northwest toward Steinwehr Avenue.
The Bryan house shortly after the battle, facing southwest toward the scene of Pickett’s Charge. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Civil War Photographs, LC-DIG-cwpb-01860
Location of the Brian (Bryan) Farm at Gettysburg
The Brian (or Bryan) Farm is about 0.3 mile south of town on both sides of Hancock Avenue. Hancock Avenue is one way northbound. (39°48’55.9″N 77°14’07.2″W)