andersonville national historic site and national prisoner of war museum

We actually spent our time in the little village of Andersonville, right across from the historical prison site. There is a great little museum called the Drummer Boy (and I learned what drummer boys' purpose was!) and the locals were full of interesting tales.

It's rare you find a historic national museum of this quality in big cities but in the sticks?!? Total surprise and a wonderful one too. We stopped off while on a road trip from smoky mts to FL and we all loved it. The museum was incredibly interactive and moving. So much video and interactive quality content. It's more about ALL pows then we realized thinking this was mostly a civil war site... but that was an unexpected surprise. A MUST visit if driving anywhere near. Don't skip the drive through the cemetery but read the park info sheet before you do for full effect. If you want a culture shock, drive out the park exit after and up the street into the Confederate Fan Club town circa 2015 and prepare for a shock when you ready the "tribute" on the giant memorial monument to Wirz, the convicted and executed ex-wardon of the prison. Wowzy. Welcome to the South ya'll.

With both the book and movie with the same title "Andersonville" plus historical facts and pixs in mind--it is a VERY special place to overlook. The open space that once WAS the field of such human suffering and death was quiet and reverent of its history. A must visit by all as a testament to the inhumanity of humans to humans that can happen.

Revealed history I was not aware of Or had forgotten. Very well kept and sacred. Beautiful grounds. Definite must visit.

The National Prisoner of War Museum is dedicated to all United States of America service people who have been held in captivity. It is not limited to just Camp Sumter. Allow a minimum of 2 and a half hours for the movie and the museum. Allow at least an hour and a half to visit where Camp Sumter had been. The resting place of those who died there is part of the National Cemetery where burials are still taking place. We could not go to a section of the Cemetery due to a funeral. We parked as far away as possible to be as respectful as possible. As for the village of Andersonville, much work needs to be done. A couple of places apparently serve food. We were there for about fifteen minutes and returned to our vehicle.

Wow what a awesome place to visit,we watched the movie Andersonville before we went there and it just made the whole experience amazing,there is a museum there that also shows the movie with many things most folks don't even know happened, we just loved it and have been there a few times, its only around 40 minutes of interstate 75 near perry Georgia..this is one stop you must go see if you enjoy history!!

we were surprised at just how well laid out and well maintained this site is. There is plenty to see, walk through and videos to watch. As a bonus there is no fee for entry. The staff were very friendly and eager to chat about the area. The POW site is huge, but a nice walk or you can drive around stopping on the way. After visiting here we stopped in at the cemetery and found this very moving. Again it was beautifully maintained showing the respect these military members so truly deserve.

We all are aware of POW's but this museum really brings it to you in spades. With the remains of the Andersonville prison from the Civil War recreations of actual POW cells from other wars, it shows how difficult it was for them. Definitely not Stalag 13 from Hogan's Heroes.

Use the free CD to guide you about the sites. It is amazing to see the actual site after reading the book. The POW Museum is also an emotional tribute for POWs of all wars.

Took a tour of this site with co-workers. I found this very informative and humbling. I would recommend for all citizens to tour this site. Our guide did a wonderful job of narrating what happened at this site.

Take your time here. Read the stories. Try to imagine what it must have been like for the prisoners in Andersonville and for other POWs around the world. Check out the interactive displays. Talk to the state park rangers for a better idea of what things were like and to get some additional info.

Great National no fee park - Park was great for civil war buff and humbling to know how many people died at this confederate prison. We were disappointed in how few signs trying to find site however once we got to park was really glad we visited.

We assumed that the main focus of the site would be the Andersonville Civil War Prison. However, we were amazed at the creative ways in which the site paid homage to not only all civil war prison camps, but also of prisoners of all wars...including those outside of our country. The knowledge that we gained was amazing. This is a must see site!

With an active imagination you can conjure up the horrific human suffering inflicted here. There is a reproduction of the barricade wall and the prison entry, as well as a few tents erected (not tightly squeezed together enough in my opinion), and lots of pictures and illustrations from the late 1860s to hit it all home (i particularly was surprised to see the photograph of the latrine with men actually in the middle of using it.)For the unimaginative, it's a just big ole' field. I walked the perimeter with a written guide to stretch my legs, but most people choose to drive it with the free narrated CD guide available at the visitors center. After visiting i was feeling acutely grateful for the modern conveniences of plumbing and clean water!The visitors center has a lot of good information on POWs. The center did a good job of having lots of objects to help the history and humanity (and inhumanity) come alive. They had clothing, shoes, and common items modified into pieces of useful art, made by POWs (described by one POW as "exercises in mental health"). Cap off your visit by paying your respects at the cemetery.

Andersonville National Historic Site is not your usual destination for entertainment or excitement, but it is interesting and moving and illuminates an important piece of our nation's experience. There are several different parts to this site. One is the POW museum. It had interesting displays and information, along with some 30 minute movies. It is worth the time to read and explore the exhibits. Another area is the prison site. We did the waking tour where a decent explained the design and construction of the prison and talked about the daily life of the prisoners. I highly recommend doing that tour if possible. You can also get a cassette or CD that you sign out and play for a driving tour. We also did that and it was a good compliment to the walking tour. Another part of the site is the cemetery. I have a relative who was a prisoner at Andersonville and who is buried on the cemetery. So it was interesting to find his grave and see all of the graves of people who had died there and graves of other veterans. The driving tour also continues through the cemetery with lots of interesting information. The staff at the visitor center was very helpful and answered our questions with interesting details. I highly recommend going here if you can. They have programs for kids. It may not be exciting like Disney, but it was extremely interesting and moving.