The National Park Service's Heritage Education Services and Federal Preservation Institute, the Department of Veterans Affairs Historic Preservation Office and National Cemetery Administration History Office, and the National Preservation Institute, in partnership with the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers, proudly invite you to explore the Civil War Era National Cemeteries. This Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary features 116 National Cemeteries from the Civil War era, all of which are listed or are eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.

All 116 National Cemeteries are maintained by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Park Service, or the Department of the Army. Visitors to the cemeteries can pay their respects to those who are buried there and view the historic buildings and landscapes. They can also choose to provide valuable volunteer services to these historic facilities.

The Civil War Era National Cemeteries travel itinerary offers several ways to discover and experience the historic places that shaped and illustrate the history and development of the National Cemetery system:

• Descriptions of each featured National Cemetery on the List of Sites highlight its significance, photographs and other illustrations, and information on how to visit.

• Essays with background on important themes in the development of the National Cemeteries during and after the Civil War offer context for understanding historic places featured in the itinerary. Visitors can read From Necessity to Honor: The Evolution of National Cemeteries in the United States, Death and Dying, and Designing the First National Cemeteries.

• Maps help visitors plan what to see and do and get directions to historic places to visit.

• A Learn More section provides links to relevant websites such as tourism websites with information on cultural events and activities, other things to see and do, and dining and lodging possibilities. This section also provides a bibliography.

View the itinerary online or print it as a guide if you plan to visit in person. The Civil War Era National Cemeteries itinerary, the 52^nd in this ongoing series, is part of the Department of the Interior, National Park Service's strategy to promote public awareness of history and encourage visits to historic places throughout the nation. The itineraries are created by a partnership of the National Park Service; the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers; and Federal, State, and local governments and private organizations in communities, regions, and heritage areas throughout the United States. The itineraries help people everywhere learn about and plan trips to visit the amazing diversity of this country's historic places that are listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, which the National Park Service expands and maintains for the nation. The National Park Service and its partners hope you enjoy this itinerary and others in the series. If you have any comments or questions, please click on “Comments or Questions" at the bottom of each page.