A N D E R S O N V I L L E   N A T I O N A L   H I S T O R I C   S I T E

This is an awe-inspiring sight and is the final resting place for almost 13,000 Union soldiers who were confined here during the War Between the States. Visitors today can view restored sections of the stockade and imagine what captivity here might have been like.

This National Historic Site also boasts The National Prisoner of war Museum. In addition to Civil War exhibits, the museum contains information on all wars in which Americans have been held captive. Visitors can view many artifacts from the war and life at the prison. There is no charge for admission.

Andersonville National Historic Site is unique in the National Park Service as the only park to serve as a memorial to all Americans ever held as prisoners of war. The 475 acre park, consisting of the national cemetery and prison site, exemplifies the grim life suffered by prisoners of war, North and South, during the Civil War. The historic site was established in 1970.

ANDERSONVILLE PRISONER INFORMATION DATABASE

The National Park Service has launched an Andersonville prisoner lookup on their website. Visit the National Park Service Prisoner Lookup Page

 

VISITATION:

Highest in May and June; lowest in December and January.

 

LOCATION:

Southwestern Macon County near Andersonville, Georgia

 

 

ANDERSONVILLE TRAIL:

 

The Andersonville Trail is a 75-mile sightseeing loop tour off I-75. Quaint hometowns, Main Streets, historic homes, museums, two National Historic Sites, antiques, shopping, camping, fishing and hunting.

 

Watermelons, peaches, peanuts, pecans, and cotton line to roads for a relaxing and scenic side trip.

 

For brochure and events schedule, send us an e-mail with your name and address.

ADDRESS:

Andersonville National Historic Site
496 Cemetery Rd.
Andersonville, GA 31711

TELEPHONE:

229/924-0343

 

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Daily park grounds: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitor Center: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.

 

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Summers are generally hot and humid. The winters are very mild and rainy. Wear appropriate and comfortable seasonal clothing. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

 

DIRECTIONS:

Visitors traveling south on I-75: Exit at Byron Exit No. 149, 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 Perry Exit No. 142, Georgia highway 224 West and travel to Montezuma, pick up highway 49 south. Andersonville is ten miles south of Montezuma on highway 49, park entrance will be on your left.

 

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). In Park: personal vehicle, bicycle, and buses.

 

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

No admission fees. Donations accepted. Donation boxes available at the prisoner of war museum. 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 Civil War to the Persian 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. There is a hiking trail which is used primarily by visiting Boy Scout groups.

 

Programs/Activities:

The visiting public can rent a cassette taped driving tour for $1.00. On weekends there are guided cemetery walks and prison site talks given by park rangers.

A prison walk is provided for the general public at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. daily.

Lodging and camping facilities:

None in park. Lodging facilities are available in nearby Montezuma.  Click here for more information.

 

Food/supplies:

Local restaurants and grocery stores are available in Montezuma and Oglethorpe.  Click here for more information.

 

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:

A bookstore is located in the National Prisoner of War Museum. It is managed by Eastern National Park.

 

Accessibility:

The National Prisoner of War Museum is wheelchair accessible with a wheelchair available in the museum. 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 available.

 

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.

 

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:

In March (second weekend) there is "Andersonville Revisited". Activities include Confederate guards and Union prisoners as portrayed by living historians. Various scenarios and drills depict the life of the guards and prisoners when Andersonville was a prison camp. On the last Sunday in May, Memorial Day, there are ceremonies honoring American 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 traditional Avenue of Flags displays the burial flags of American veterans.

ANDERSONVILLE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE MAP

Click here for an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format map of the Andersonville National Historic Site.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Write Park Headquarters, 496 Cemetery Rd., Andersonville, GA 31711, or call (229) 924-0343.