Good Morning! Join us for a virtual visit and ranger chat!
A Peaceful Moment at Providence Spring
How about enjoying a peaceful moment, listening to the birds and the cool running water at Providence Spring and reflecting pool? Video taken at Andersonville National Historic Site on the morning of March 21,2020.
Wreaths Across America Day!
Veterans Day at Andersonville National Cemetery
National POW/MIA Day Ceremony
And that's a wrap! Closing out the weekend with a bang...
Over 10,000 Wreaths making their arrival at Andersonville National Cemetery!
48 years ago today, on October 16th, 1970, Andersonville National Historic Site was established by Congress. Before 1970 Andersonville National Cemetery and the prison site (then known as Andersonville Prison Park) were owned by the U.S. Army.
In 1970 legislation proposing to create the park, Congress stated:
"A little more than a century ago, this Nation was embroiled in an internal conflict by far more serious than any encountered before or since. During that period in our history sadness, and sacrifice, and suffering were not uncommon. Americans were facing each other on the battlefield. Many were lost in the bitter struggles, but thousands were taken captive."
"The story of captivity is often as grim as the story of war itself. Men, isolated from their comrades, and lonely for their loved ones, must be strong in mind and spirit to endure such circumstances. Andersonville can tell that story - the story of brave Americans who, confronted with adversity almost beyond imagination, retained their devotion to their country."
..."At other places, the Congress has recognized the significance of events which once occurred. Sometimes the stories that they tell are not pleasant, but they are an integral part of the historic panorama of this Nation. Many national battlefields and historic sites depict tragic moments in our history. They are recognized not to bolster the American ego, but to remind us that the way of life which we enjoy today was brought about by the often painful sacrifices of those who preceded us."
"Of Gettysburg, Abraham Lincoln said, neither he, nor any other person, could dedicate, or consecrate, or hallow the ground of the battlefield, because those brave men, living and dead, who struggled there 'consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract.' Andersonville is such a place and Congress should set it aside as a memorial not only to those who struggled there in those times, but to all Americans who have served their country, at home
National POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony
How about a nice Sunday drive in the park? Come see the Avenue of Flags at Andersonville National Historic Site! This stirring display of over 200 US and POW/MIA flags was raised Friday with the help of Robins Riders.
A quiet September afternoon at Andersonville National Historic Site
John McCain's Keynote Address
John McCain's time in captivity did more than offer an opportunity to make a name for himself aside from his grandfather and father before him- it continued to shape his life and the lives of those he encountered.
In a recent statement, Senator Tammy Duckworth recollected, "His refusal to give up in the face of adversity inspired me when I was a mission-less helicopter pilot with no legs recovering at Walter Reed. In fact, I met him there for the first time when he visited us Wounded Warriors. He joked that he and I both flew into a missile and that didn't take much skill. It's what you do afterwards that matters."
On April 9, 1998, McCain came to Andersonville National Historic Site to deliver the keynote address at the grand opening of the National Prisoner of War Museum. In his speech he recounts the story of Air Force Captain Lance Sijan, a fellow prisoner who inspired him during his time in captivity.
You can view the entirety of his speech on our YouTube channel through the following link: https://youtu.be/JLTF16FiTks
Cool morning. Rainy afternoon.
During a long summer it's nice to have a break from the sweltering heat. Today may have been a good day to thousands of prisoners 154 years ago due to the cooling effects of the weather and the chance to collect fresh rain water to drink. 🌧 (JH)(NPS Video)
So many...such sacrifice. NPS video. (JM)
Taking it back to a sunny Memorial Day in 2017. Maybe this video will give the weather some #MondayMotivation to stop raining 🌧⛈🌧
We hope everyone has an enjoyable and safe Memorial Day as we remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. 🇺🇸 (JH)(NPS Video)
Good Morning! Today is projected to be a beautiful Mother's Day 🌺
The cemetery will be open for visitation today until 5:00 p.m. If you need assistance locating a grave, you can use our grave finder kiosk outside the Cemetery Building, or you can ask for assistance from our staff at the museum. (JH) (NPS Video, taken 5/10/18)
20th Commemoration Ceremony continued...
20th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony
20th Anniversary Event Q&A!
It's a beautiful day at Andersonville! [sound on!!]
We'll be going LIVE on Facebook today around 2:00 PM EST to answer some of your questions about our upcoming 20th anniversary event, and general questions about park visitation. Come join us!
Won't be able to make it? Comment your questions below and we'll try to answer them during the live broadcast.
Easter sunrise over Andersonville National Cemetery. ☀️
We are open today!
Park Grounds & Cemetery: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Museum/Visitor Center: 9:30am - 5:00pm
Rain, rain, go away!
Living History programs have been moved to the museum theater.
1:00pm - Infantry talk; come learn about the Confederate guard force at Andersonville and how Civil War era rifled muskets were loaded and shot.
1:30pm -Children's Corner; bring your children to the museum theater for some educational activities to help them learn about the aftermath of Andersonville. They'll be helping Clara Barton and Dorence Atwater identify graves, find relics, and write memoirs.
2:00pm - Johnson's Island Program; learn about archeological efforts at a Union Civil War prison.
Nearly 3,000 wreaths were laid on Civil War graves today during our Wreaths Across America ceremony. Several hundred more were designated in other sections within the national cemetery. (NPS Video)
Wreaths Across America - Official Page
Several foggy mornings greeted us this week. Perhaps the weather knew this week ended on Friday the 13th. (NPS Video)
This week our flags fly at half staff in honor the victims of the Las Vegas shooting. Our hearts go out to those affected by this tragedy. (NPS Video)
A short time lapse video of this morning's sunrise over the cemetery. (JH)(NPS Video)
Military Flyover
Today, we experienced a military flyover honoring a veteran being buried in our national cemetery. Not only does it serve as a reminder of those who committed themselves to our armed forces, but here it serves as a reminder that Andersonville National Cemetery is still an active cemetery.
When visiting, please keep a safe distance from any ongoing funerals or burials and obey all signage. Pets are prohibited on the landscape and grassy areas within the cemetery, but are welcomed in other parts of the park on a 6ft leash. No jogging, picnicking, or other recreational activities are allowed. Please keep your voices lowered and remember to not sit on headstones or monuments.
Andersonville National Cemetery serves as the final resting place for thousands of our military veterans. Help us to continue to honor them for generations to come. (JH)(NPS Video)
Andersonville Trivia!
Providence Spring is one of the most told stories from Andersonville - a spring bursting forth providing much needed fresh water to thirsting prisoners in the dead of summer. Do you know which monument has this bronze relief of prisoners getting water from the spring on it? (JH)(NPS Video)
The sun dancing across the prison site this Friday afternoon.
Peaceful days like this - the breeze stirring in the trees and grass, and birds chirping in the distance - makes it hard to imagine the pain and suffering that occurred on these hallowed grounds.
Rain, Rain, Go Away
June 1864 at Andersonville was a very wet month. While rain was often a welcomed sight to prisoners because it brought fresh, clean water and cooler temperatures, too much of it caused problems within the prison.
George Pennington wrote in his diary on June 4, "Very rainy again today and disagreeable as it can be, no sign of any exchange or parole yet, but Oh, I wish we were out of here. It is now full and more coming in every day."
Later on June 17 he wrote, "Raining again this morning, this makes the seventeenth day that it has rained every day."
Camping in makeshift shelters, burrowed caves, and even out in the open during the summer showers not only flooded their temporary homes, but it also increased cases of pneumonia, colds, and fevers among prisoners. With wood constantly being drenched in water, fires to help cook rations and to keep prisoners warm were hard to keep. During the interim dry periods, muggy heat was left behind to weigh down on the prisoners.
Even with rain, too much of a good thing can be harmful. (JH)(NPS Video)
Since 2008, Dan Gillan has made a point to bring his bagpipes to Andersonville National Cemetery each Memorial Day to pay tribute to the thousands of veterans buried here.
He strolls through each section of the cemetery to ensure that all our veterans are honored. Thank you, Dan! 🇺🇸
Keynote speaker, Brigadier General David Lesperance, quotes President Calvin Coolidge during his Memorial Day speech at Andersonville National Cemetery.
"A country which forgets its defenders, will itself be forgotten." Brigadier General Lesperance continued with, "That's why our observance of this day...is so important."
Cue the band! The Memorial Day Observance Ceremony has begun!
Welcome to the official page for Andersonville National Historic Site!
The park's mission is to provide an understanding of the overall prisoner of war story of the Civil War and to interpret the role of prisoner of war camps in history.
