Saws, Scalpels, and Survival: The Grisly Kitchen‑Table Surgeries of the Civil War

Step into the blood-soaked reality of Civil War medicine, if you dare, at 6:30 p.m. on July 18 and July 25, 2026, in the Keeping Room at the Farnsworth House Inn on Baltimore Street in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

When the cannons opened fire on July 1, 1863, the farmhouses and homes of Gettysburg were transformed in an instant. Parlors became wards. Dining tables became operating tables. Ordinary kitchens became the last desperate hope for thousands of wounded men.

Gathered around the Farnsworth House’s hearthside kitchen, audiences join an Army field surgeon for an unfiltered look at battlefield medicine during the Civil War. Drawn from historical surgical texts and the diaries and field notes of Civil War army surgeons, the program explores amputations, battlefield injuries, disease and the desperate methods used to save lives.

Witness the bone saw in action, learn why surgeons often had to work quickly and discover which diseases killed more soldiers than bullets. Through surgical recreations and vivid firsthand accounts, this Gettysburg history program offers the unvarnished truth of battlefield medicine in 1863.

The presentation contains graphic descriptions, uncensored discussion of injuries and illnesses endured by soldiers, and reenacted surgical procedures. It is recommended for ages 12 and older and may not be suitable for guests with a weak stomach.

All participants must sign a waiver before the program. Smoking and vaping are prohibited, and guests who appear intoxicated may be asked to leave. Gratuities are appreciated.