• North HillSide Photomerge

    Andersonville

    National Historic Site Georgia

There are park alerts in effect.
show Alerts »

  • New Operating Hours for the National Prisoner of War Museum

    Beginning Monday, May 13, 2013, the National Prisoner of War Museum will adopt new operating hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. More »

Grave Decoration Policy

The National Park Service is privileged to care for this very special place and is well aware of the confidence and trust that our veterans' families place in us. Please help us preserve the dignity and beauty of the cemetery by observing the following floral regulations.

Flags
Park staff and volunteers decorate the cemetery with small United States flags on Memorial Day. Flags may not be placed on graves at any other time.

Flowers
 Fresh-cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time. Artificial arrangements are not allowed from April 15 through October 10. All flowers will be removed when they become faded or unsightly, at the discretion of cemetery staff.

Containers and Other Items
Plantings, statues, vigil lights or other decorations are not permitted at any time. All containers should be non-breakable. Temporary floral vases are available at two locations in the Cemetery. Permanent below-ground metal floral containers are not permitted. Flowers, containers, or other items may not be attached to the headstone.

Seasonal Decorations
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.

Floral Arrangements and Other Decorations
 During the periods ten days before and ten days after Easter Sunday and Memorial Day, potted plants and wreaths are permitted. During colder months, from October 10 to April 15, artificial flowers and wreaths are permitted. Plantings, statues, vigil lights, or other decorations are not permitted at any time.

These policies are for the beautification of the National Cemetery and the safety of visitors and park personnel.

Did You Know?

Bronze panel showing a prison scene on the back of a stone monument

Most visitors exploring Andersonville National Cemetery are unaware that the New York monument has an image sculpted on the reverse side of the memorial. The image on the reverse depicts two Andersonville prisoners. One is seen as dejected while the other appears hopeful. An angel approaches the prisoners carrying an olive branch, the symbol of peace, which was used to represent the reconciliation between the North and the South.