The Gettysburg Farm

President Dwight D. Eisenhower enjoyed several hobbies including oil painting. He completed almost 300 paintings in the last 20 years of his life and gave nearly all of them away as gifts. This painting is his only known work to depict his Gettysburg home. Soon after completing it, he invited Arthur Kennell, his golf caddy at the Gettysburg Country Club, over for a visit. At the end of their visit, the president gave Mr. Kennell this painting—most appropriate since it includes the president’s personal golf putting green. Mr. Kennell proudly displayed the painting in his home for the rest of his life. After his passing in 2013, his widow donated it to the park.

This object represents the Eisenhower National Historic Site museum collection for several reasons. It depicts the Eisenhower Home, the crown jewel of the park and the only home ever owned by President and Mrs. Eisenhower. It was painted by President Eisenhower himself and is doubly significant since it is his only know work to depict the home. President Eisenhower is famous as a US President that liked to play golf and this painting depicts his personal putting green. Finally, as a documented gift to his caddy, it has a nice story to tell.