HUNTLEY GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Inside the Bullet‑Pocked Farnsworth House: A Guided Walk Through a Civil War Frontline Home
A 60‑minute guided walk through the Historic Farnsworth House in Huntley that opens the garret, cellar and brick façade so you can read the building’s Civil War scars firsthand.
Inside the Bullet‑Pocked Farnsworth House: A Guided Walk Through a Civil War Frontline Home.
The Farnsworth House in Huntley is a compact, lived‑in landmark whose floors, attic and walls still register the violence and rituals of the Civil War era. On the guided tour you move from curated displays of authentic relics to the garret where a Confederate sharpshooter is believed to have fired the fatal shot that killed Jennie Wade, then down into a Victorian Viewing Parlor in the cellar that contains an antique coffin and period furnishings, and outside to study more than a hundred bullet holes in the brickwork — all while learning the layered history of this National Register property.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
The Garret and a Civil War Story
Ascend to the garret: the tour stops at the attic where a Confederate sharpshooter is believed to have fired the fatal shot that claimed the life of Jennie Wade, anchoring the house’s role in the battle narrative.
A Victorian Viewing Parlor with an Antique Coffin
Descend into the cellar’s Victorian Viewing Parlor to encounter an antique coffin, period photographs, church pews and evocative furnishings that illustrate nineteenth‑century mourning customs and house‑museum interpretation.
More Than 100 Bullet Holes — A Visible Frontline
Outside, examine the brick façade riddled with over 100 bullet holes: a stark, physical record of the house’s frontline exposure and one of the tour’s most immediate, visual takeaways.
What the day feels like
What to Expect on the Walkthrough
This is a focused, guided experience inside an operating historic inn: you move through a sequence of intimate spaces — upstairs to the garret, through rooms containing curated Civil War relics, down to the cellar‑turned‑Viewing Parlor, and outside to inspect the brickwork — while a guide connects those places to specific stories and material evidence of 1863.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tour suits — and who should take caution.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The tour runs approximately 60 minutes.
Bring photo ID and be prepared to sign a waiver before the tour; comfortable shoes are recommended for the walking portions and for moving between floors.
Smoking and vaping are strictly forbidden on the property; guests who appear intoxicated will be asked to leave. Gratuities are not presumed but are appreciated.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Farnsworth House Tour?
The guided tour lasts approximately 60 minutes.
How much does the tour cost?
$10.00 plus tax per person.
Is the tour appropriate for children?
The tour is labeled kid‑friendly, but families should be aware the itinerary includes wartime damage and an antique coffin that may upset younger visitors.
Are there behavior or safety rules?
Yes. Smoking and vaping are not allowed, and those who appear intoxicated will be kindly excused from the tour; all participants must sign a waiver prior to participation.
Will I be able to see every room inside the house?
Because the Farnsworth House operates as a working bed‑and‑breakfast, access to certain chambers can change without notice and some areas may be off limits on any given tour.
Are gratuities included in the tour price?
No; gratuities are not presumed and are received with appreciation.