Andersonville
National Historic Site

Andersonville National Historic Site is the only park in the National Park System to serve as a memorial to all American prisoners of war throughout the nation's history.   The 495-acre park consists of the historic prison site and the national cemetery.   Congress stated in the authorizing legislation that this park's purpose is "to provide an understanding of the overall prisoner of war story of the Civil War, to interpret the role of prisoner of war camps in history, to commemorate the sacrifice of Americans who lost their lives in such camps, and to preserve the monuments located within the site".   In 1998 the National Prisoner of War Museum opened at Andersonville, dedicated to the men and women of this country who suffered captivity.   Their story is one of sacrifice and courage.

VISITATION:
Highest in April and July; lowest in December and January.
LOCATION:
Andersonville, Georgia
ADDRESS:
Andersonville National Historic Site
Route 1, Box 800
Andersonville, GA 31711
TELEPHONE:
912/924-0343
OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
Daily park grounds: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
National Prisoner of war Museum/Visitor Center: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Grounds only are open December 25 and January 1.
CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
Summers are generally hot and humid. The winters are very mild. Wear appropriate and comfortable seasonal clothing. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
DIRECTIONS:
Visitors traveling north-south on I-75: Exit at Byron Exit, highway 49 South and travel approximately 40 miles on Georgia highway 49 South. Park entrance will be on your left. Visitors traveling south-north on I-75: Exit at Cordele Exit, Georgia highway 280 West and travel to Americus, pick up highway 49 north. Andersonville is ten miles north of Americus on highway 49, park entrance will be on your right.
TRANSPORTATION:
To Park: access by Interstate I-75 and various state highways. The park is located in a rural area. Nearest airports are in Columbus (east), Macon and Atlanta (north). Bus depot is in Americus, Georgia.
In Park: personal vehicle, bicycle, and buses.
FEES, COSTS, RATES:
No admission fees. Donations box available at the National Prisoner of War Museum/Visitor Center.  A driving tour cassette tape is available for a $1.00 rental fee.
FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Center/Exhibits:
An orientation film is offered along with various exhibits. The National  Prisoner of War Museum houses POW artifacts and exhibits depicting conflicts from the American Revolution to the Gulf War. Often, former American prisoners of war, who volunteer with the park's volunteer program serve as hosts at the Prisoner of War Museum.
Trails, Roads:
Good roads run throughout the national cemetery and historic stockade area.
Programs/Activities:
Visitors can rent a cassette taped driving tour for $1.00.
Lodging and camping facilities:
None in park.
Food/supplies:
Local restaurants and grocery stores.
Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:
A bookstore is located in National Prisoner of War Museum/Visitor Center. It is managed by Eastern National.
Accessibility:
The National Prisoner of War Museum is wheelchair accessible with a wheelchair available in the visitor center. Handicapped parking is available. The historic prison site area would not be easily maneuvered by someone with physical limitations.
Special Needs:
Visitor parking is available at various points in the site. Bus parking is limited.
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
Walking, driving or ranger-led scheduled tours through the national cemetery and prison site. Research facilities are available to those studying the history of American prisoners of war. Historic monuments are located throughout the site. Picnic area is available. The site provides excellent subject matter for photographers.

For information on archeology, visit SEAC

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
Reservations for school groups, other educational groups, tour buses, and special interest groups should be made at least two weeks prior to their visit. Applications for special use permits should be submitted at least one month prior to the planned activity. Commercial filming applications are handled on an individual basis by the park superintendent.
BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
Stay can be as short as a leisurely two hours or lengthened, depending on your interest in the historic subject matter.
SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:
Various special events and programs are held throughout the year.  Please call the site for a schedule of events and programs. On the Sunday prior to the legal observance of   Memorial Day, the are ceremonies honoring  veterans from all wars. Ceremony includes music, guest speaker, and the Laying of Wreaths by civic and patriotic organizations. An American flag is placed on each of the 18,000 graves in the national cemetery.  The burial flags of American veterans are also displayed in the traditional Avenue of Flags.


School House This park is featured in a lesson plan created by Teaching with Historic Places, a program of the National Park Service that helps teachers and students understand how parks and other historic places embody America's historical experiences and cultural expressions.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
The Civil War Village of Andersonville is an added attraction for the visitor. Plains, Georgia, home of our 39th president, is located 22 miles from Andersonville and is the location of the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site. Many interesting scenic and historic areas are located along the Andersonville Trail, a 75 mile loop off of I-75.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Write Park Headquarters, R. 1, Box 800, Andersonville, GA 31711, or call (912) 924-0343.
Last Updated:Monday, 14-Sep-98 07:24:20
http://www.nps.gov/ande/