Planning Your Visit
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Andersonville National Historic Site
Andersonville National Historic Site commemorates the experiences of all American Prisoners of War. The site of historic Camp Sumter (Andersonville Prison) is one of the main features of the park. Camp Sumter was built in early 1864 and was one of the largest of the many Confederate military prisons established during the Civil War. The park also features the National Prisoners of War Museum and Andersonville National Cemetery.
Things To Do
2008 Luminary Display
Andersonville National Historic Site will commemorate the lives of Union and Confederate Soldiers who died at Andersonville prison by displaying over 13,000 luminaries on the evening of Saturday, March 8, 2008. The luminaries will be displayed at the historic prison site and visitors are invited to drive the loop road around the prison site in order to view the lights. The park's entrance gates will open at 7:00 pm and remain open until 10:00 pm.
"It is difficult to envision the loss of such a large number of people," states Fred Boyles, Superintendent of the Historic Site, "The luminaries are a dramatic depiction of the sacrifice made by so many who gave their lives for our freedom."
Volunteer opportunities are available to assist park staff with this project. If you are interested in being a part of this tribute, please call the park at 229.924.0343 x203 to register.
2008 POW/MIA Symposium
The park will be hosting a POW/MIA Symposium in September of 2008. Please check back in the coming months for more details.
Participants in the 2007 POW/MIA Symposium included two former prisoners of war from Vietnam: Commander Porter Halyburton, USN (Ret.) and Colonel Fred Cherry, USAF (Ret.), America's first African American POW of the war. Halyburton and Cherry were cell mates in the Hanoi Hilton and wrote about their experience in Two Souls Indivisible which documents the genesis of their strong friendship.
The 2007 program also featured Captain Luther H. Smith, USAF (Ret.), a P-51 Mustang fighter pilot from the famed Tuskegee Airmen. He was shot down over Yugoslavia on his 133rd mission on Oct. 13, 1944 and held as a POW by the Germans until May 1945.
Operating Hours & Seasons
The park grounds are open daily from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm Eastern Time, allowing access to both the historic prison site and Andersonville National Cemetery. The National Prisoner of War Museum, which also serves as the park visitor center, opens at 8:30 and also closes at 5:00 pm. The National Prisoner of War Museum is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Days and no visitor services are provided. Park grounds, including the National Cemetery, are open on these days.
Fees & Reservations
The park has no entrance fee, and no fees for park interpretive programs. Organized groups of 12 or more who are requesting interpretive programs especially for their group must make reservations at least two weeks in advance.
Directions
Driving Directions
Andersonville NHS is located 10 miles north of Americus, Georgia on GA State Route 49.
Approaching from the north via I-75, exit at Byron, GA (exit number 149) follow GA State Route 49 South, through the towns of Fort Valley, Marshallville, Montezuma and Oglethorpe. The entrance to the park is on the left, approximately 10 miles south of Oglethorpe.
Approaching from the South via I-75, exit at Cordele, GA (exit number 101) follow US 280 West to Americus, GA. From Americus follow GA State Route 49 north to the park entrance on your right, approximately 10 miles.
No public transportation systems serve the park. The nearest bus depot is approximately 10 miles from the park in Americus, GA. The nearest airports are Columbus (east), Macon and Atlanta (north).
Andersonville In Depth
News from the Parks
Colorado Section of Vast Bike Network is 1,000 Miles
January 5, 2009 - 12:43pm
More than 1,000 miles of the 50,000-mile bikeway being spliced together throughout North American lies in Colorado. The Colorado portion is part of the Great Parks section, which includes 2,518 miles from Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada, to Mesa Verde National Park outside of Durango.
January 5, 2009 - 12:43pm
More than 1,000 miles of the 50,000-mile bikeway being spliced together throughout North American lies in Colorado. The Colorado portion is part of the Great Parks section, which includes 2,518 miles from Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada, to Mesa Verde National Park outside of Durango.
Ranchers Oppose Yellowstone Bison Relocation
January 5, 2009 - 12:32pm
Ranchers are voicing concern about plans to relocate some Yellowstone Park bison to Indian reservations in Montana and Wyoming. The ranchers are worried about the animals' history of carrying brucellosis, a disease that causes domestic cows to miscarry.
January 5, 2009 - 12:32pm
Ranchers are voicing concern about plans to relocate some Yellowstone Park bison to Indian reservations in Montana and Wyoming. The ranchers are worried about the animals' history of carrying brucellosis, a disease that causes domestic cows to miscarry.
A Trip to Yosemite National Park via YARTS is a Must for Valley Residents
January 5, 2009 - 12:31pm
The YARTS bus sped up Highway 140 from Merced into the foothills. It passed Mariposa and stopped at the entrance to Yosemite National Park. A sign read, “Chains required.” The driver parked, and deftly fitted the chains over the tires. A horde of enthused travelers lined up outside the bus, but there were no more seats. Instead of turning them away, the kindly driver allowed them to board the bus and stand in the aisle for the remaining 13 miles of the trip.
January 5, 2009 - 12:31pm
The YARTS bus sped up Highway 140 from Merced into the foothills. It passed Mariposa and stopped at the entrance to Yosemite National Park. A sign read, “Chains required.” The driver parked, and deftly fitted the chains over the tires. A horde of enthused travelers lined up outside the bus, but there were no more seats. Instead of turning them away, the kindly driver allowed them to board the bus and stand in the aisle for the remaining 13 miles of the trip.
Nene Killed on the Road in Haleakala National Park
January 5, 2009 - 12:21pm
An adult nene was killed on the road at Haleakala National Park on Dec. 28. Motorists traveling to the park are asked to drive slowly and cautiously. Visitors reported the dead nene to Visitor Use Assistant Tony Manion at 7:30 a.m. Park Ranger Chad Riggin retrieved the dead nene from the road near mile marker 16.
January 5, 2009 - 12:21pm
An adult nene was killed on the road at Haleakala National Park on Dec. 28. Motorists traveling to the park are asked to drive slowly and cautiously. Visitors reported the dead nene to Visitor Use Assistant Tony Manion at 7:30 a.m. Park Ranger Chad Riggin retrieved the dead nene from the road near mile marker 16.
Life's a Beach: U.S. Virgin Islands are Calling You
January 5, 2009 - 12:19pm
Don't just sit there. Pick a destination and plan a vacation, maybe to someplace a little exotic, where national parks come with tropical beaches, and boats rather than big RVs are a common mode of transportation. You can enjoy all that without fretting over currency exchange rates or making sure that your passport is up to date if you head to a little paradise called the U.S. Virgin Islands.
January 5, 2009 - 12:19pm
Don't just sit there. Pick a destination and plan a vacation, maybe to someplace a little exotic, where national parks come with tropical beaches, and boats rather than big RVs are a common mode of transportation. You can enjoy all that without fretting over currency exchange rates or making sure that your passport is up to date if you head to a little paradise called the U.S. Virgin Islands.
