September 14 & 15
The schedule is identical for Saturday and Sunday, except for the talks each day at noon.
Battlefield Hikes - These hikes at key areas of the park following the battle as it unfolded. Each hike is about 1.5 miles in length and will last 2 hours.
1. Battle for the Cornfield and West Woods. 9:30am, Tour Stop #4 Cornfield.
2. Struggle for the Sunken Road. 12:00pm, Antietam Battlefield Visitor Center.
3. The Burnside Bridge and Final Attack. 2:30pm, Tour Stop #8 Burnside Bridge.
Ranger Guided Driving Tours- Car caravan tour of the battlefield. Follow the ranger in your own vehicle to three key stops. This program will last approximately 2 hours and will begin at the park visitor center. Morning Tour at 10:00am and Afternoon Tour at 1:30pm.
Weapons Firing Demonstrations- Living history program demonstrating Civil War weapons. Meet at the New York State Monument, just north of the park visitor center for this 45 minute program. Daily at 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm.
Orientation Talks- Overview of the Maryland Campaign. This 30 minute program will take place in the Observation Room of the visitor center. 11:30am and 2:00pm.
SATURDAY GUEST LECTURE - Park guide, volunteer, and author, Steve Stotelmyer will present, "The Battle of South Mountain: High Tide of the Maryland Campaign of 1862." This program will begin at noon in the park visitor center theater and will last 1 hour.
SUNDAY GUEST LEACTURE - Dennis E. Frye, retired Chief Historian at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park presents, "harpers Ferry: Lee's Achilles." This program will begin at noon in the park visitor center theater and will last 1 hour.
Monday, September 16th
Battlefield Hike- Prelude to Battle Explore the battlefield landscape and events that unfolded throughout the afternoon and evening of September 16, 1862. Meet at the New York State Monument, just north of the visitor center, at 6:00 pm for this one mile, 90 minute program.
Tuesday, September 17th
Short Walk - Sunrise at Antietam Experience sunrise on the morning of the 162nd anniversary of the battle listening to the words of the soldiers who fought here. Meet at Tour Stop #4 Cornfield, 6:45am for this 60 minute program.
Battlefield Hikes- An all-day hike of the battlefield will be conducted in two parts. Part I will include Cornfield, West Woods, and Sunken Road. Meet at the park visitor center, 9:15am, for this 3 hour/3 mile hike of the field. Part 2 includes the action at the Burnside Bridge and the Final Attack. We will meet at Tour Stop #8 Burnside Bridge, 1:30pm. This hike will last approximately 3 hours and we will walk 3 miles.
Ranger Guided Driving Tour - Car caravan tour of the battlefield. Follow the ranger in your own vehicle to three key stops. This program will last approximately 2.5 hours and will begin at the park visitor center, 1:00pm.
Weapons Firing Demonstrations- Living history program demonstrating Civil War weapons. Meet at the New York State Monument, just north of the park visitor center for this 45 minute program, 10:00am.
Orientation Talks- Overview of the Maryland Campaign. This 30 minute program will take place in the Observation Room of the visitor center. 11:00am, 12:00pm, and 2:00pm.
Aftermath of Battle Weekend September 21st & 22nd
The schedule is identical for Saturday and Sunday, except for the hikes each day at 1pm.
Orientation Talks- Overview of the Maryland Campaign. This 30 minute program will take place in the Observation Room of the visitor center. 10:00am and 3:00pm.
Images of War - Learn about the wet plate photographic process that was used by Alexander Gardner to record the carnage of the Battle of Antietam. 11:00am & 2:00pm.
Remembering Antietam - This 30 minute interactive Ranger led program will explore the memory of the Battle of Antietam. 12:00pm.
Saturday Battlefield Hike - "The Glorious and the Terrible" -Join a park ranger at tour stop 7, Bloody Lane, for a two-hour hike to learn more about the Medical Director of the Army of the Potomac, Jonathan Letterman and explore the experiences of the soldiers and civilians in the wake of the battle. 2 miles hiking, 2 hour program. 1:00 pm.
Sunday Battlefield Hike - "Witness Trees of Antietam" - Join a park ranger at tour stop 4, the Cornfield, for a 90 minute hike to some of the battlefield’s lesser known witness trees. We will be covering not only what these trees “witnessed” on September 17th, 1862, but significant events throughout the history and preservation of Antietam National Battlefield. 90 minute program and 1.5 miles of hiking. 1:00 pm.
Living History - Living history volunteers portraying members of the Grand Army of the Republic veterans’ organization will be encamped behind the Dunker Church. The camp will be open for visitors from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on SATURDAY ONLY.
Newcomer House Program- Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area presents a 1/2 mile hike of the Middle Bridge area. Starting at the Newcomer House on Rt. 34. 10:30am & 2:30pm on SUNDAY ONLY.
