Cultural Landscape Profiles
Antietam National Battlefield is located in the rolling hills of western Maryland in Washington County and encompasses over 3,200 acres of land. It was established in 1890 to commemorate the bloodiest single-day battle in American history where 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after 12 hours of combat. While neither side could claim victory, the Battle of Antietam, also known as Sharpsburg, ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia’s first invasion into the North and led to President Abraham Lincoln’s preliminary issue of the Emancipation Proclamation. Often considered one of the best-preserved Civil War battlefield sites in the national park system, Antietam provides visitors with the opportunity to experience a landscape that appears much like it did on the eve of the Battle of Antietam, fought on September 17, 1862.
Numerous cultural landscapes including the Joseph Poffenberger Farmstead, Newcomer Farmstead, Burnside Bridge and their associated features serve as tangible reminders of the battle, reflecting the physical setting of the historic period. Additionally, designed features that were added to commemorate the battle and guide visitors through the battlefield are located throughout the site, while Antietam National Cemetery serves as the final resting place of 4,776 Union soldiers killed at the Battle of Antietam and on other battlefields in Maryland.
Historic Structure and Cultural Landscape Reports
Discover NPS reports about the historic structures and cultural landscapes of Antietam National Park.
Source: Data Store Saved Search 4845 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
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Antietam National BattlefieldLast updated: October 4, 2021