2019 Annual Schedule

March 16th, Saturday – Irish Brigade Hike - This hike will follow the route of the brigade during their attack on the Sunken Road. This program will start at the visitor center, 1PM. This hike is about two miles and will last approximately two hours. Participants should dress for the weather and we will hike, rain or shine.

March 24th, Sunday – Cornfield Hike – This hike will explore the I and XII Union Corps' fight against Stonewall Jackson's forces in the Cornfield. This program will start at the visitor center, 1PM. This hike is about two miles and will last approximately two hours. Participants should dress for the weather and we will hike, rain or shine.

March 31st, Sunday – Witness Trees of Antietam, Part I - Join a ranger to discover some lesser known witness trees on the north end of the field and learn what these trees "witnessed" on September 17th, 1862. This program will meet at the visitor center, 1 PM. The hike is 2.5 miles and last approximately 2.5 hours, participants should dress for the weather and we will hike, rain or shine.

April 7th, Sunday – Witness Trees of Antietam, Part II – Join a ranger to discover some lesser known witness trees on the south end of the field and learn what these trees "witnessed" on September 17th, 1862. Meet the ranger at Tour Stop # 9, 1 PM The hike is 2.5 miles and last approximately 2.5 hours, participants should dress for the weather and we will hike, rain or shine.

April 14th, Sunday – Medal of Honor Hike – Join a ranger for this battlefield hike that will focus on the stories of several Medal of Honor recipients. This program will start at the visitor center, 1PM. This hike is about two miles and will last approximately two hours. Participants should dress for the weather and we will hike, rain or shine.

April 20th, Saturday – Junior Ranger Day – Young people ages four to twelve can participate in special activities, interact with volunteers portraying Civil War soldiers, and become Junior Ranger Rangers. Click here for more information.

April 21st, Sunday – Monuments at Antietam – Join a ranger for this battlefield hike that will focus on the stories behind the monuments on the battlefield. Meet the ranger at the visitor center, 1 PM for this two mile hike on the northern end of the field. Participants should dress for the weather and we will hike, rain or shine.

April 28th, Sunday – West Woods Hike – Join a ranger for this hike that will focus on the fighting in the West Woods. Meet the ranger at the visitor center, 1 PM for this two mile hike on the northern end of the field. Participants should dress for the weather and we will hike, rain or shine.

May 5th, Sunday – I Corp and Iron Brigade Hike – Join a ranger for this program that will explore the morning fighting in the Cornfield. Meet the ranger at the visitor center, 1 PM for this two mile hike on the northern end of the field. Participants should dress for the weather and we will hike, rain or shine.

May 27^th, Monday – Memorial Day Commemoration at Antietam National Cemetery –Events will begin at 11 am and will conclude shortly after 12 noon. Limited seating will be available on first come, first serve basis and visitors are encouraged to bring their own lawn chair. Park volunteers representing Batter B, Fourth US Artillery will provide an artillery salute.

June 29^th, Saturday - Volunteers portraying members of Battery B, 4th U.S. Artillery will present artillery firing demonstration programs at 11:00 and 1:00 by the New York State Monument next to the Visitor Center.

June 30^th, Sunday - Volunteers from the Confederate Military Forces will provide combined infantry and artillery firing demonstration programs at 11:00 and 1:00 by the New York State Monument next to the Visitor Center.

July 6^th, Saturday –Salute to Independence – Join us and the Maryland Orchestra for an evening of music and fireworks beginning at 7pm. Click here for more information.

July 13^th, Saturday - Volunteers portraying the 28th North Carolina will provide infantry firing demonstration programs at 11:00, 1:00, and 3:00.

July 14^th, Sunday - Volunteers portraying the 28th North Carolina will provide infantry firing demonstration programs at 11:00 and 1:00.

July 27^th, Saturday - Union Artillery Weekend: Volunteers from Battery B, 4th U.S. Artillery, Battery F, 1st PA Light Artillery, and Battery D, 1st PA Light Artillery will present artillery firing programs at 11:00, 1:00, and 3:00 by the New York State Monument next to the Visitor Center.

July 28^th, Sunday - Union Artillery Weekend: Battery B, 4th US Artillery, Battery F, 1st PA Light Artillery, and Battery D, 1st PA Light Artillery will provide artillery firing demonstration programs at 11:00 and 1:00 by the New York State Monument next to the Visitor Center.

August 10^th, Saturday - Volunteers portraying the 3rd US will provide infantry firing demonstration programs at 11:00, 1:00, and 3:00. Their camp will be open for visitors to walk through between demonstrations.

August 11^th, Sunday - Volunteers portraying the 3rd US will provide infantry firing demonstration programs at 11:00 and 1:00. Their camp will be open for visitors to walk through between demonstrations.

August 24^th, Saturday and Sunday, 25^th - Confederate Living History Weekend- Living history volunteers will provide demonstrations of cannon and musket firing throughout the weekend. Between demonstrations their camp will be open for visitors who would like to learn more or ask questions. They will present living history programs at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM on Saturday and 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM on Sunday just outside the Visitor Center.

September 14^th, Saturday and 15^th, Sunday - Commemoration of the 157th Anniversary of the Battle of Antietam. Join us for a weekend full of ranger led talks, tours, and battlefield hikes. Volunteers will provide living history programs, including cannon firing and musket firing demonstrations, just outside the Visitor Center at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM on Saturday, and 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM on Sunday.

September 17^th, Tuesday – 157^th Anniversary of the Battle of Antietam - Join us for an all day hike of the battlefield beginning at 6:45 am. More details will follow.

September 20^th, Friday, 21^st Saturday, and 22^nd, Sunday - Aftermath of Battle Living History Weekend: Explore what the battlefield would have been like after the firing had ceased. Living history volunteers will tell the story of the United States Sanitary Commission and demonstrate the role it played in improving the life of the common soldier by portraying a soldier feeding station. They will discuss their role in the Civil War and the aftermath of the Battle of Antietam by providing comfort and solace to the troops. In addition, park volunteers will demonstrate wet plate photography, the process that Alexander Gardner used to capture the haunting images of the Civil War dead at Antietam that changed the way that the American public viewed warfare.

October 12^th, Saturday - Volunteers portraying members of Battery B, 4th U.S. Artillery will present artillery firing demonstration programs at 11:00 and 1:00 by the New York State Monument next to the Visitor Center.

October 13^th, Sunday - Volunteers from the Confederate Military Forces will provide combined infantry and artillery firing demonstration programs at 11:00 and 1:00 by the New York State Monument next to the Visitor Center.

November 16^th, Saturday - Every Kid Outdoors Day. Ongoing outdoor kids programs from 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

December 7^th, Saturday – Memorial Illumination - Antietam National Battlefield, in cooperation with the American Business Women's Association and the Washington County Convention and Visitors' Bureau, will host the Annual Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination in honor of those soldiers who fell during the Battle of Antietam. Click here for more information.