Andersonville National Historic Site

Every year, my family travels to Andersonville National Historic Site to help place flags at each headstone.  With over 18,000 people laid to rest there, it's quite a task.  Over the last few years, we've seen a tremendous growth in the number of volunteers that come out for this special day.  What took a couple of hours to accomplish in the past, now only takes about 45 minutes!

Here are some of our pictures from last year's trip.  This is a pic of my two youngest boys placing flags.  The tool helps the boys measure exactly 6 inches in front of the stone so the flags are all placed evenly.

Last year, we stayed after the flag placements so the boys could complete the Historic Trails program.  The boys each picked up a pamphlet/workbook and we set of exploring the museum, cemetery, and former prison camp.

One of the questions in their handbook was to name the first person buried at Andersonville.  The boys easily found it.  His name was Adam Swarner, a member of the New York Cavalry.  This is his headstone.

Finding the first person buried at Andersonville sparked the boys' curiousity to find the last person (to date) that was buried there.  This is the grave of Thomas Toler Stewart.  He was buried just a couple days before we arrived.

After finishing the remaining questions in the cemetery, we headed to the old prison area.   Here's a pic of my son and a couple of his scout buddies at Clara Barton's marker. 

Of course the boys found the cannons to be one of the most interesting attractions.  Here is my son getting a closer look at the detailed workings of the cannon.

And much to everyone's surprise, here is what he found.

We'll be heading back to Andersonville again next month.  The boys are especially excited since the town will be hosting a Folks Fest the same weekend.