Gathland Museums
Click on images above to view larger photographs.
Walking around Gathland State Park visitors will see many reminders of the estate of George Alfred Townsend. Some of these are the remnants of his library and den, a barn ruins, and the remains of a mausoleum (Townsend’s intended resting place; no one is actually buried there today) and surrounding gardens. Markers throughout the park also explain the Civil War Battle of South Mountain, which occurred here in what was then known as Cramptons Gap.
Two intact buildings house museums. Gath Hall, which was once Townsend’s main residence, is now a museum that tells about the life and literary career of Townsend, as well as displaying many items from his life on the Gapland Estate. An exhibit also tells the story of War Correspondents and the important role they played during the Civil War. The other structure, Gath Lodge, contains exhibits and artifacts about the Battle of South Mountain. Interactive exhibits in the museums allow the visitor to play the role of a War Correspondent, collecting information and interviewing soldiers, and then write their own report about the battle.
The museums are open in the spring, summer, and fall.