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“Dawn approached slowly through the fog on September 17, 1862. As soldiers tried to wipe away the dampness, cannons began to roar and sheets of flame burst forth from hundreds of rifles, opening a twelve hour tempest that swept across the rolling farm fields in western Maryland.

A clash between North and South that changed the course of the Civil War, helped free over four million Americans, devastated Sharpsburg, and still ranks as the bloodiest one-day battle in American history.”www.nps.gov/anti  A visit to this Civil War battlefield is a true pleasure since Park Rangers have designed educational programs that allow students to simulate the roles of leaders during the battle and encourage them to think through difficult decisions.

Website address: www.nps.gov/anti

Location/Address: 5831 Dunker Church Road, Sharpsburg, MD 21782

Directions:
Traveling East on Interstate 70:
Exit 29A onto Rt. 65 south. Ten miles south on the left is the Visitor Center.
Traveling West on Interstate 70 from the Baltimore/Washington area:
Exit 29 onto Rt. 65 South towards Sharpsburg. Travel about 10 miles south to the Park Visitor Center entrance which will be on your left side. Optional Route: Exit 49 onto Alternate Rt. 40 West towards Middletown. Continue through Middletown, over South Mountain to Boonsboro. Turn left onto Rt. 34 to Sharpsburg. When you enter town, turn right (north) onto Rt. 65 and the Park Visitor Center will be on your right a mile north of Sharpsburg.
Traveling North-South on Interstate 81:
Exit 1, Rt. 68, six miles east to Rt. 65. Turn RIGHT at light on Rt. 65. Five miles south on the left is the Visitor Center.

Education Contact at Site: Park Ranger Gordie Thorpe

Phone: (301) 432-4567  Email Address: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Theme Addressed at Site: Land of Conflict, Reunification, and Rebuilding

Education Programs and Corresponding SOL 

Programs We Can Do at our Site:

There are 8 different curriculum-based programs available and Antietam is willing to customize the day based on the number of students in the group, their ages and the amount of time classes have to be on site.

1. Cannoneers, To Your Posts: Students will do a Civil War artillery drill with artillery implements using one of the park's cannons. (No actual firing of the cannon.) In case of bad weather, this program cannot be done inside. This program can be modified for more advanced groups such as college students and elder hostel groups. Group size: Up to 40 students. (5th grade and over) Time: 30 - 45 minutes.

2. Flags That Talk Students will be divided into "signal stations," with each station comprising three or four students. Using signal flags and cipher discs, students will send and receive messages the way Civil War armies did. In case of bad weather, smaller groups can do this program inside the Mumma Barn. This program can be modified for more advanced groups such as college students and elder hostel groups. Group size: Up to 40 students. (5th grade and over) Time: 30 - 45 minutes.

3. Civil War Soldier A park ranger will discuss the life and times of a typical Civil War soldier. Clothing, leather gear and other items are passed out for the students to examine. Depending on weather and available staff, this activity may include a black powder musket firing demonstration by one of the park rangers. This has less hands-on experience than in activities #1 and #2, but is a better program for large groups and younger students. In case of bad weather, this program can be done inside (without the firing demonstration). Group size: Up to 100 students. (3rd to 5th grade) Time: 30 minutes.

4. Angels of the Battlefield This is a role-playing activity. Students will re-create the Battle of Antietam. Students will discuss how they would feel before and during the battle, and about the care they received afterwards. They will also dramatize medical care, field hospitals, and Clara Barton's role as a nurse. In case of bad weather, a modified version of this program can be inside the Mumma Barn. Group size: 30 - 100 students. (5th to 8th grade) Time: 45 - 60 minutes.

5. Battlefield in a Box A ranger will lay out a large map on the ground that shows the roads, bridges and other features of the battlefield. Groups of students can be moved around the map to illustrate the movements of troops during the battle. This provides a good overview of the battle. A short version of this program can be done indoors in case of bad weather. This program can be modified for more advanced groups such as college students and elder hostel groups. Group size: Up to 75 students. (6th grade and older) Time: 45 minutes.

6. Mumma Cemetery Exploration A ranger will lead the group to the Mumma Family Cemetery where students will work individually or in pairs to observe the cemetery and tombstones and answer questions on a worksheet. Afterwards the group will discuss what they have learned with the ranger. In case of bad weather this activity cannot be done inside. Group size: Up to 50 students. (5th-8th grade) Time: 30-45 minutes.

7. Sounds of Antietam This activity helps students visualize the events that occurred during many Civil War battles by adding sound effects to a narrative. Students are given "sound" cards, and make those sounds when cued by the ranger or teacher while s/he reads a narrative. This activity can be done inside in case of bad weather. Group size: Up to 50 students. (5th-8th grade) Time: 30 minutes.

8. Mumma & Roulette Farms Trail: This hiking trail combines social studies and science. Topics include the aftermath of the battle of Antietam, slavery, soil formation, elements of the ecosystem, water cycle, food chains, decomposition, succession, watershed, riparian restoration, battlefield preservation, and many more topics. Teachers can choose what topics to cover with students. This trail is designed as a teacher led activity. (Depending on group size and staffing, rangers may be available to lead this activity). Teachers are provided with an easy to use trail guide, map, laminated photos, and other teaching aids. The trail is about one mile long and is not wheelchair accessible. Students are encouraged to wear sturdy walking shoes and to dress for the weather. Group size: Up to 30 students per group. (Larger groups can be divided into smaller groups for walking the trail as long as there are at least two adults per group). (5th grade and over) Time: 1 to 1 ½ hours.

Pre-Visit Materials Available 

Contact Gordie Thorpe for pre-visit information.

Program fees and miscellaneous  

Maximum Number of Students: See above for recommended sizes of student groups for each program  Minimum: 15

Admission/Program Fee: Educational groups are entitled to a waiver of the park entrance fees if they are making an educational visit to the battlefield. In order to qualify for a fee waiver your organization must be officially recognized as an educational institution by a government entity and the purpose of your visit must be educational and related directly to a course of study. In order for the park to waive entrance fees for your group, you must submit a written request for a fee waiver on your school's official letterhead in advance of your visit. This letter should include a written statement of educational purpose for your visit, the time and date of your visit, and the number of people in your group.

Please send your fee waiver request to Mr. John Howard, Superintendent, Antietam National Battlefield, P.O. Box 158, Sharpsburg, MD 21782-0158. Or you may fax Mr. Howard at (301) 432-4590. Please be sure to include your fax number.

Handicap Accessibility: See website

Bus/Vehicle Accessibility: The Visitors Center and the Mumma Farm Education Center are both easily accessible by buses. Both sites also have adequate parking.

Season of Operation: Student Education programs are offered year round by reservation. Spring trips need to be scheduled as early as possible.

Hours of Operation: See website for changing seasonal park and building hours.

Picnic facilities/Nearest restaurant options: No formal picnic facilities. Please bring trash bags for groups that picnic on the lawn.

Restroom accessibility: There are restroom facilities at both the Visitors Center and the Mumma Farm Education Center that are handicap accessible.

Chaperone Requirements ( No. chaperones/no. of students): For student education programs, we strongly recommend no more than 1 chaperone for every 10 students.

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