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Andersonville National Historic Site

Andersonville, or Camp Sumter as it was officially known, was one of the largest of many Confederate military prisons established during the Civil War. It was built early in 1864 after Confederate officials decided to move the large number of Federal prisoners kept in and around Richmond, Virginia, to a place of greater security and a more abundant food supply . During the 14 months the prison existed, more than 45,000 Union soldiers were confined here. Of these, almost 13,000 died from disease, poor sanitation, malnutrition, overcrowding, or exposure to the elements.


Today, 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 have suffered captivity. Their story is one of sacrifice and courage.


Contact Information

Andersonville National Historic Site
496 Cemetery Road
Andersonville, GA 31711
229-924-0343 - Visitor Information


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Getting There

By Plane
The nearest airports are in Columbus (east), Macon and Atlanta (north).

By Car
Andersonville National Historic Site is located 10 miles north of Americus, Georgia on GA Route 49.

By Plane
The nearest bus depot is located approximately 10 miles from the park in Americus, Georgia.

Getting Around
Personal vehicles, recreational vehicles, bicycles and buses are permitted within the park.

Weather

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


Activities

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.
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  • Auto Touring
  • Educational Programs

Recommended Activities
We suggest your begin you visit in the National Prisoner of War Museum. A 27-minute audo-visual program entitled "Echoes of Captivity" provides an orientation to the overall prisoner of war story. Walking and/or driving through the National Cemetery and prison site are recommended. An audio driving tour is available for a $1.00 rental fee. A picnic area is located within the park.



 

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Find Hiking and Biking Trails
If you like to go hiking or biking, then don't forget to get a map and guidebook. Trails.com offers a great service that allows unlimited downloads of trail guides for a small monthly fee. They even have a 14 day free trial. Whether you are looking for day hikes, backpacking trails, mountain bike routes or just short nature stroll, they cover it all. So let Trails.com help plan your next outing.
RV Information
Are you planning on traveling with your RV? If you are, you should check out the Good Sam Club. The Good Sam Club offers discounts on camping, a free magazine subscription and great tips on traveling with your RV. You can also get a free no-obligation RV Insurance quote . Give them a look and enjoy your trip.
Gear Up For Your Trip
Once you have finished deciding where to go, it will be time to gear up. A great place for adventure travel gear is The National Geographic Store. They have all types of maps and guides to help finalize your vacation plans.