NPS photo

2008 luminary display at Andersonville National Historic Site

Andersonville National Historic Site commemorated the lives of Union and Confederate soldiers who died at Andersonville prison by displaying over 13,000 luminaries on the evening of Saturday, March 8, 2008. The luminaries were displayed within the historic prison site and visitors drove along the tour road to view the lights.

Andersonville prison, officially named Camp Sumter, was in operation for the final fourteen  months of the Civil War. During that time, nearly 13,000 Union prisoners perished. Over 200 Confederate staff also died while on duty at the prison, most of whom are now interred at Oak Grove Cemetery in Americus, GA.

"It is difficult to envision the loss of such a large number of people," stated Fred Boyles, Superintendent of the park. "The luminaries are a dramatic depiction of the sacrifice made by so many who gave their lives for our freedom."

Park staff and volunteers spent most of Saturday (in the snow, no less!) placing the unlit luminaries on the prison site. The luminaries were lit late Saturday afternoon so that all were illuminated by evening. Visitors were allowed to drive around the prison site from 6:00 until 9:00 pm.