The most visited tourist site in South Georgia is Andersonville National Historic Site, a former Civil War prison camp known as Camp Sumter. The complex includes the grounds of the camp as well as the National Prisoner of War Museum and Andersonville National Cemetery.
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What to See at Andersonville National Historic Site
Start at the visitor’s center, which has a museum that has films and displays on prisoners of war from all American conflicts, including Vietnam, Korea, and modern wars in the Middle East.
The camp itself has informational panels scattered throughout to tell visitors about the grim history. For the last year of the Civil War, Union soldiers were captured and brought here, where they slept under makeshift tents with whatever they had carried.
Water and food were hard to come by and disease plagued the overcrowded camp, which was four times overcapacity. Escape attempts were met with death. The commander of the camp was later tried for war crimes and sentenced to death. Nearly 13,000 of the 45,000 prisoners died.
It’s important to also stop at the cemetery, where the Union soldiers that died here were reburied after the war. But over 900 are unmarked as “unknown.” More recent veterans and their families are also buried here.
Tips for Visiting Andersonville National Historic Site
Andersonville National Historic Site is located at 760 POW Road, Andersonville, Georgia 31711, around three hours southwest of Atlanta. The museum and visitor center are open daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm, but the grounds are open from 8 am to 5 pm, apart from holidays. Admission is fre,e and parking is free.
Where to Eat Near Andersonville National Historic Site
Andersonville Civil War Village has Easterlin’s Country Store, the only restaurant in town. You can enjoy breakfast, daily specials, burgers, and sandwiches.
Oglethorpe BBQ Co. in Oglethorpe, Main St Grill in Ellaville, and Madea’s Diner and Bakery in Americus are other options.
Where to Stay Near Andersonville National Historic Site
The closest place to stay is the RV Park at Andersonville Civil War Village, which offers electric hookups. A few places also rent out cottages and homes.
The Best Western Plus Windsor Hotel in Americus is another option, located about 15 minutes away from Andersonville.
greetings Caroline, My wife and I are planning a road trip from Salt Lake City area to Andersonville, Georgia in the second week of November (2018) and would let us know of attractions near southwest
Georgia. we will be traveling to Fontana Dam area for two week stay after time spend in Georgia (approximately 7-10 days. ) we are history buffs and enjoy the outdoors. I went to school many years ago at Cullowee, N.C.) and we were at Fontana Dam are for a week in 2012., after our marriage at the BurningMan Festival (the Blackrock Desert). I am a senior, but enjoy travel and adventure. we went on 68 day cruise to Antarctica (circumventing around South America) this January to mid-March. I would appreciate any travel tips you could send to me. thank you sooo much. Jack and Michelle Rowe
Hi Jack and Michelle,
Might I recommend seeing a few other places near Andersonville? The Jimmy Carter National Historic Site is a can’t miss, as is the cute town of Americus. Albany isn’t far away and is home to an excellent Civil Rights museum.
Happy travels!
Caroline
I am planning a trip South in February. I am interested in the Andersonville prison, as my great-grandfather left a picture of people next to Providence spring. I also have a picture of
gathering of members of the GAR at Gettysburg.
The last name would have been Griffin or Huggett from Connecticut or Michigan. I don’t know how to go about researching.