News Release

Exploring Among the Stars

NPS J/Hopkins

News Release Date: November 5, 2019

Contact: Jennifer Hopkins, 229-924-0343 x. 201

Andersonville News Release
Release Date: November 5, 2019
 
Contacts:  Jennifer Hopkins, [e-mail], 229-924-0343, ext. 201



NR19-06


Exploring Among the Stars
Night Museum at Andersonville National Historic Site on November 8
 
ANDERSONVILLE, Georgia – “And while the stars their vigil keep, across the silence of the sky, the nation's love for those who sleep, at Andersonville shall not die.” -John E. Barrett
 
The stars twinkling overhead each night provide us with a glimpse into the past, casting light that perhaps first shone while Union prisoners struggled for survival at Andersonville. Almost as numerous as the stars was the dense population within the stockade in August 1864. Come experience the deadliest ground of the Civil War by the light of the stars, moon, and candlelit lanterns. Take a peek at planets and constellations through a telescope and earn a special patch with our Night Explorer program. Roam the halls of the National Prisoner of War Museum in the quiet of the night.
 
At 7:00 p.m. Colonel Phillip A. Millerd, USMC (ret) will discuss World War II death marches, with an emphasis on the infamous Bataan Death March. A Georgia native, Col. Phillip Millerd joined the United States Marine Corps (USMC) in 1988. After active duty service, he went into the Marine Corps Reserves, where as a reservist he deployed four times for various assignments in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with 2 Gold stars), and the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
 
At 8:00 p.m. join Park Ranger Jennifer Hopkins on the prison grounds for a special outdoor luminary program on prison population and living conditions at Camp Sumter Military Prison. Anytime from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. visit our Junior Ranger station to explore the night sky and earn a special Night Explorer patch.
 
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 open from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.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
 
www.nps.gov
 

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 401 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.