Independence Day Programs at Andersonville

Date: June 27, 2012
Contact: Eric Leonard, 229 924-0343, x.201

Andersonville National Historic Site will celebrate our nation's Independence Day with special programming on Wednesday, July 4, 2012.

During the week, the Avenue of Flags will be on display in the Andersonville National Cemetery. Raised by volunteers, the Avenue of Flags is the exhibition of a multiplicity of U.S. flags usually arrayed on both sides of the avenues in the national cemetery. This is one of five times each year that the Avenue of Flags is raised at Andersonville.

In addition to the regular 11:00 a.m. prison talk, several additional programs will be offered for Independence Day. Throughout the day, living historians will be present at the northeast corner of the prison site to portray the experiences of prisoners of war held here on Independence Day, 1864. At 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. a member of the ranger staff will lead a tour through the national cemetery; this program will meet at the rostrum.

"At Andersonville, independence has a special meaning, as the prison site, national cemetery, and the National Prisoner of War museum all explore the stories of Americans held captive for the freedoms we enjoy," said Superintendent Brad Bennett. "Join us at Andersonville on July fourth to explore what one former prisoner of war called 'an object lesson in patriotism.'"

Schedule of Programs
10:00 a.m. Cemetery Tour: Meet at the national cemetery rostrum

11:00 a.m. Prison Talk: Meet at the Wisconsin monument

1:00 p.m. Cemetery Tour: Meet at the national cemetery rostrum

Living history at the prison site will occur throughout the day

Staff reserves the right to cancel programs due to inclement weather.

Andersonville National Historic Site is located 10 miles south of Oglethorpe, GA and 10 miles northeast of Americus, GA on Georgia Highway 49. The national park features the National Prisoner of War Museum, Andersonville National Cemetery and the site of the historic Civil War prison, Camp Sumter. ­Andersonville National Historic Site is the only national park within the National Park System to serve as a memorial to all American prisoners of war. Park grounds are open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. with the museum opening at 9:00 a.m. Admission is free. For more information on the park, call 229 924-0343, visit on the web at www.nps.gov/ande/, or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/AndersonvilleNPS