Visit Antietam National Battlefield

If you're a fan of the Civil War history, Antietam National Battlefield is a must see stop. Antietam National Battlefield is a major civil war site. Antietam National Battlefield is one of the best-preserved Civil War battlefields in the country. A nine mile tour road allows for a self-guided tour of the battlefield.

The Battle at Antietam was one of the bloodiest one day battle in american history. 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia’s first invasion into the North and led to Abraham Lincoln’s issuance of the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.

Antietam National Battlefield is located in the middle of Maryland. The national park is over 3,255 acres of land. Be prepared to walk!

Antietam National Battlefield is an incredibly important historical location. In 1863, the battlefield was the site of the first invasion of the north by the Confederate Army. The battle was simply brutal with over 23,000 soldiers killed or wounded. The battle is known for being the bloodiest one-day event in the history of our nation. As a result of the Confederate invasion, President Lincoln issued his now famous emancipation proclamation.

In 1934, Antietam was established as a National Park. In light of its historical importance, it is a major tourist destination with over 300,000 visitors annually visiting the park.

If you only have one to two hours of time to visit Antietam National Battlefield, you can:

• Explore the museum exhibits in the visitor center.
• View the 26-minute introductory film "Antietam Visit" which is shown on the hour and the half- hour, except from noon to 1:00 p.m.
• Join a Park Ranger for a battlefield talk.
• Browse the Museum Store.
• Take the self-guided 8 1/2 mile auto tour through the battlefield. The tour has 11 stops and begins at the Dunker Church.

• See the one-hour "Antietam Documentary" shown every day in the visitor center from noon to 1:00 p.m.
• Buy an audio tape/CD or join a Park Ranger for a more detailed auto tour.
• Join a Park Ranger for additional battlefield talks and walks.
• Take a self-guided hike on the Cornfield, Final Attack, Sherrick Farm
• or Snavely Ford Trails.
• Stop by the Pry House Field Hospital Musuem (Check at the visitor center for hours)

If your plan is to get together a group of scouts, military personnel, or Civil War re-inact actors, submit a written request for a fee waiver on your organization's official letterhead in advance of your visit. This letter should include a written statement of educational purpose for your visit, the time and date of your visit, and the number of people in your group.