Andersonville National Historic Site Reopens to Visitors

An early autumn morning at Andersonville

NPS/E. Leonard

News Release Date: October 17, 2013

Contact: Eric Leonard, 229 924-0343, ext. 201

Seasonal Decoration Policy Changes Occur in the Cemetery

ANDERSONVILLE, Georgia – Andersonville National Historic Site re-opened to visitors today.  The park has been closed since October 1 due to the lapse in Congressional appropriations.

“We are pleased to be back at work and welcoming visitors to Andersonville National Historic Site,” said Superintendent Brad Bennett. “Autumn is a particularly special season to enjoy all that Andersonville has to offer.”

Guided walks at the prison site and national cemetery will resume on Saturdays and Sundays. Upcoming events include the return of the popular “Night Museum” program on Saturday, November 16, and the annual Wreaths Across America service on December 14.

As the changing color of the leaves outside denote the arrival of cooler weather, the staff at Andersonville National Cemetery would like to remind the public of seasonal changes to the floral decoration policy: 

• Fresh-cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time.
• From now until April 15, artificial flowers and wreaths are permitted.
• Plantings, statues, vigil lights, or other decorations are not permitted at any time.
• Christmas wreaths and floral blankets no larger than 2 by 3 feet are permitted from December 1 to January 20. After this time seasonal decorations will be removed and discarded.
• All flowers will be removed when they become faded or unsightly, at the discretion of cemetery staff.

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. The National Prisoner of War Museum is open 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily. Admission is free. For more information on the park, call 229 924-0343, or visit at www.nps.gov/ande/ Visit  us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AndersonvilleNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/andeNHS

NPS 

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