History at the Inn
Contributing to the Fairfield, Pennsylvania community since 1757 and located on the Confederate Retreat from Gettysburg, July 4, 1863, the Inn was built over 266 years ago and is one of only four in America that has been in continuous operation since the 17th century.
Noteworthy Guests
Jean Stapleton & William Putch
The actress, Jean Stapleton, and husband artistic director, William Putch, involved in establishing the Totem Pole Playhouse in Caledonia, Pennsylvania, and stayed at Mansion House frequently.
Thaddeus Stevens
Pennsylvania Congressman Thaddeus Stevens used the Inn as his Headquarters while building the “Tape Worm” Railroad and Maria’s Furnance.
Mamie Eisenhower
Mamie Eisenhower dined at the Inn on many occasions while living at the Eisenhower Farm, often having lunch and playing cards with her girlfriends at Mansion House.
HISTORY MANSION HOUSE 1757
1632: George Calvert, the First Lord Baltimore granted land from King Charles 1st of England.
1718: John Hanson Steelman, first settler in what is today Fairfield.
1735: Lord Baltimore conferred 5,000 acres to Mary, Elinor, and Charles Carroll 3rd of Carrollton. Charles was the only Irish Catholic to sign Declaration of Independence, wealthiest man in America, and longest living of all signors.
1755: Charles Carroll sold 247 acres to Squire John Miller & Isabella Henry Miller, of New Castle County, Delaware. Started building the earliest portions of Mansion House. Their nephew Patrick Henry, made frequent visits to Mansion House.
1757: The original portion of Mansion House was completed to provide shelter for The Miller family, while building the 4 additional sections of their home. The original lock and key can be seen in the door of what today is called The Chef’s Table Room. Colonial Meetings took place here immediately after the original structure was built.
1767: Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon completed their survey of The Mason-Dixon Line which settled a dispute between Lord Baltimore and William Penn. At the completion of this project the property that is Mansion House 1757 became part of Pennsylvania. While in the area Mason & Dixon stayed at Mansion House, to enjoy the hospitality of The Miller Family.
1784: Squire John Miller laid out Lots and began selling them in the town of Fairfield.
1786: Squire William Miller, Isabella Henry and John’s son, files for Mansion House to operate as an Inn/Tavern, the first in The Gettysburg Area, and today is the 14th oldest in America. Once the license was granted, Mansion House also became a Stagecoach stop. Squire William Miller had served as a Captain in The Colonial Army and a staunch Federalist. He became Pennsylvania’s first State Senator.
1794: Squire John Miller, passes away.
1797: Barn that stands 75 yards behind Mansion House was built.
1800: Our County was named its current name of Adams County, after President John Adams. Prior to that we were Chester, Lancaster, and York county.
1801: Millerstown had to change its name because there was already a Millerstown in Pennsylvania, so it became Fairfield, Pennsylvania. This was the year that the town of Fairfield was planned. Much of the town folk in Fairfield were Scottish and Irish immigrants.
1815: Judge John Reed began holding court proceeding in the 2nd floor Ballroom, which is part of The Patrick Henry Suite today. Judge Reed also founded Dickinson School of Law in 1834.
1820: The Mason-Dixon Line became the line of demarcation between Free States and Slave States per The Missouri Compromise of 1820, Mansion House served as a “Station” on The Underground Railroad.
1822: General Thomas C. Miller (Isabella Henry and John’s grandson) in conjunction with Thaddeus Stevens, and his Brother-in-Law James D. Paxton established Maria Furnace Iron Works, located near Toms Creek off Iron Springs Road 2.5 miles West. One of the original Stoves is in The Tavern of Mansion House.
1836: Maria’s Furnace was closed due to poor quality of the iron-ore.
1856: Thomas C. Miller sold the surrounding property but retained the Inn until 1856.
1862: General J.E.B. Stuart stay at Mansion House during raids (October) in the area.
1863: During the Battles of Gettysburg General J.E.B. Stuart used Mansion House as officer’s quarters. When retreating from Gettysburg General Robert E. Lee and officers ate at Mansion House. The people of Fairfield experienced the horrifying Face of War with hundreds of injured or dying Confederate soldiers of Johnson’s Division were left at Musselman Farm along with ruined crops, stolen livestock, and excessive property damage.
1863: Doctor Abraham Scott had an office at Mansion House and treated wounded officers during the retreat.
1860s: Thaddeus Stevens led the work on The Tape Worm Railroad west of the Inn, using Mansion House as his home base.
1865 and Beyond: Mansion House became a popular summer resort.
1960s: Mamie Eisenhower would Dine at The Inn after Dwight’s passing in 1969. Mamie would come to Mansion House for Lunch in The Chef’s Table Room and play cards afterwards.
1970s and beyond: Actress Jean Stapleton and her husband, William Putch, Artistic Director would stay at Mansion House during the summers working to establish The Totem Pole Playhouse, still operational today.
2020: Cindy & George Keeney purchase the Inn from the Owners of Adams County Winery Katherine Bigler and John Kramb.
Caprese Salad with House Mozzarella
Relaxing Evening at Adams Counties’ Oldest Inn
Beautiful Adams County
Mansion House Entree Salad
