Living History Weekend

Living historians demonstrate firing a cannon during Living History Weekend.

NPS/Hugh Peacock

Step into history during our annual Civil War Living History Weekend!

Andersonville National Historic Site will hold its annual Civil War Living History Weekend on November 4 and 5. During this event, living historians and park staff share stories of United States prisoners, Confederate guards, and civilians at Andersonville prison during the last months of the Civil War.

Schedul of Events:

Saturday, November 4, 2023

Time	Program	Location
10:00 AM	Prisoner Arrival	North Gate
10:30 AM	Artillery Demonstration	Northwest Earthwork
11:00 AM	Father Peter Whelan	Prison Site Monuments
11:30 AM	Women at Andersonville	Northwest Corner
12:00 PM	Infantry Demonstration	Northeast Earthwork
12:30 PM	Ration Distribution	Prison Corner
1:00 PM	Special Guest Speaker	Museum Theater
1:30 PM	Artillery Demonstration	Northwest Earthwork
2:00 PM	Father Peter Whelan	Prison Site Monuments
2:30 PM	History of Plants	Prison Site Monuments
3:00 PM	Infantry Demonstration	Northeast Earthwork
3:30 PM	Prison Tour	Museum Horseshoe

Sunday, November 5, 2023

Time	Program	Location
10:00 AM	Artillery Demonstration	Northwest Earthwork
10:30 AM	Father Peter Whelan	Prison Site Monuments
11:00 AM	Women at Andersonville	Northwest Corner
11:30 AM	Infantry Demonstration	Northeast Earthwork
12:00 AM	Ration Distribution	Prison Corner
1:00 PM	Special Guest Speaker	Museum Theater
1:30 PM	Artillery Demonstration	Northwest Earthwork
2:00 PM	Guided Prison Tour	Museum Horseshoe
3:00 PM	History of Plants	Prison Site Monuments

Living historians are volunteers who use historical clothing, accessories, and living conditions to give impressions of the past. While modern citizens can never truly capture the brutal intensity of a Civil War prison, these individuals attempt to convey the sense of desperation, isolation, hopes, and fears that define captivity.

Each living history weekend strives to present different aspects of the prison experience. Weekends can also feature guest speakers and on-site programs about the use of artillery at a prison, the role of Catholic priests or Masons in aiding the prisoners, and the complex views held by Southern civilian women on the condition of Yankee prisoners. Living historians offer a valuable opportunity for families to discuss the causes and effects of the Civil War. This event also reminds us that not all soldiers perished in battle and that each soldier possessed the power to end or save lives. Prison life offers many chances to consider the burden of following orders and the opportunities for mercy or murder during war.

 

Living historians portray Union prisoners at Andersonville during Living History Weekend.

NPS/Hugh Peacock

 

Entry into the park and all programs are free. Please note that all programs and locations are subject to change. Contact us by phone at 229-924-0343 or via email at [e-mail] for more information.

Park grounds are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m, and the National Prisoner of War Museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.