Stepping Back Into History at the Antietam National Battlefield
About an hour’s drive away from Washington, DC is an eerily calm, huge expanse of land called the Antietam National Battlefield. The Battle of Antietam is known as one of the bloodiest battles in American History. 23,000 Confederate and Union soldiers were either hurt or killed during this Civil War campaign on September 17, 1862. To commemorate this historical event the National Park Service (NPS) preserved this piece of land and erected a Visitor’s Center.
There are 96 monuments at Antietam, including a monument for each of the six generals that were killed or mortally wounded. You can take a self-guided 8 ½ mile auto tour through the battlefield. The tour has 11 stops and begins at the Dunker Church, which was used as a medical aid station during the battle.
At the Visitor’s Center, knowledgeable rangers will give you a brief history of the occurrence. From there, you will walk out into the battlefield where you will be enveloped by the solemnity of the grassy land stretching out before you. Though this battle happened over 100 years ago you can still feel how this landscape was forever changed. The quiet beauty of the vicinity adds to its somber quality and makes it almost impossible to believe that it is the location of such a tragic event.
But you don’t have to be a history buff to appreciate Antietam. You can take in the gentle rolling hills, the hushed quality of your surroundings and take a deep breath of fresh air away from the hustle and bustle of DC. Other outdoor activities include bicycling, camping, horseback riding, fishing or boating on Antietam Creek. If you time it just right you can probably catch a reenactment or two!
And while you’re there, stop by Nutter’s Ice Cream in Sharpsburg for some great homemade ice cream. You can thank me later.
What: Antietam National Battlefield
Where: 5831 Dunker Church Road, Sharpsburg, MD 21782
Contact: Tel 301.432.5124
Website: http://www.nps.gov/ancm/index.htm
Image via Flickr (creative commons) by Alaskan Dude
Category: THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND DC
