Downtown Gettysburg is a stroller’s delight. Architecture dates to Colonial times and many fine examples can be found among restored buildings. Rev. Alexander Dobbin’s house is the town’s oldest building. Four score and seven years before Abraham Lincoln delivered the immortal Gettysburg Address, the house was built. Irish-born in 1742, Dobbin was well educated in Ireland, sailed with his wife Isabella to America and became pastor of the Rock Creek Presbyterian Church just north of Gettysburg. Dobbin bought three hundred acres and constructed Dobbin House as a school and theological seminary.
With ten children from his first wife, Dobbin remarried after her early death to a woman with nine of her own children. The historic dwelling preserves a secret crawl space that hid runaway slaves during the Underground Railroad era. The house was a hospital during the battle and is now restored to its original elegance. The stone structure has seven working fireplaces, hand carved woodwork and antique furnishings identical to those listed in Dobbin’s estate. China and silver used in the restaurant match finds excavated from the building’s cellar. Server’s clothing is recreated period costume.
Dobbin House is not to be missed on any trip to Gettysburg. Enter through a gift shop where modern wares almost conceal a huge original stone hearth. Go downstairs to the Springhouse Tavern. Any weekend day finds the tavern chock full. There is simple and fresh garden fare served with all manner of grilled foods in an informal setting reminiscent of a Colonial tavern. Visitors are welcome to view the original springhouse that served to keep food cold long before electricity. A glass panel allows visitors to see the secret room where runaway slaves were hidden.
Pass the bar and walk up the stairs again to the entrance to the Alexander Dobbin Dining Rooms. You can also walk right in the side entrance but the prelude in the tavern adds to the atmosphere of the place.
A huge stone hearth at the entrance and reservation stand is lit in cold weather, as are hearths in the dining rooms up a short flight of stairs. Décor is in keeping with Colonial times. Bare wood tables are set with linen napkins. A long white candle in brass stand with glass chimney, place setting of period style, and blue willow Chinese porcelain grace the table. Some tables offer ornate high backed, padded armchairs that create intimacy even when the rooms are crowded. Oriental carpets cover wide-board wood floors.
Tavern specialty drinks include Raspberry shrub wines made with aged raspberry vinegar, sweetener, and spices. To this is added Champagne or Chablis and ginger ale or club soda, $7. House wines by the class cost $5.50, from La Terre, California offered as Chardonnay, Merlot, white Zinfandel, or Cabernet Sauvignon. By the bottle, sparkling wines run from $16 for Andre Extra Dry, $38 for Korbel brut, $75 Moet and Chandon White Star, to $160 Dom Perignon. Bottled wines run from $28 to $52 a bottle for Chateaunuef du Pape. South African Indaba Merlot is $36.
For vegetarians three main courses include oven-roasted vegetables with pasta, sautéed in wine or plain, $17.95. Sumptuous prime rib is served bone in as the large James’ cut, named for Dobbin’s favorite son and the first attorney to be admitted to “our new country’s bar,” $23.95. Smiths’ cut, named for Dobbin’s bad boy who carved his initials on the mantle in the parlor, $21.95. Trio of lamb chops, $24.94, Roast Duck Adams County prepared with apples and hard cider, $22.95, Maryland Colony crab cakes, $23.95, a 12-ounce broiled lobster tail at market price. Seafarers Feast is offered for $34.95 and includes portions of orange roughy, filet of salmon, Maryland crab cake, marinated shrimp, and deep-sea scallops.
Desserts include cheesecake with blueberry topping, Hot Adam’s apple pie, pecan ‘pye,’ and huge portions of ice cream. Wherever you are seated take time to look into the other rooms of the house. Six rooms serve elegant dining with as little as ten people in what was Dobbin’s Library. Dining here is an experience especially for those willing to let the imagination turn back the hands of time to a bygone era.
“Jackie White is still the owner. She took over Dobbin House 32 years ago and had to redo the whole thing. It had been used as an apartment house. She had to dig out the basement to make the tavern. There’s a 9-room bed and breakfast on the property. People think of Civil War era Gettysburg; this is actually a Colonial house dating from 1776,” Linda Sheffield, the manager, explained.
Reservations are recommended for the Alexander Dobbin Dining Rooms. The informal tavern seats diners as available.
Dobbin House is located at 89 Steinwehr Avenue.
Call them at 717-334-2100 or visit their Web site at dobbinhouse.com.
