pry house field hospital museum

PetePope1

Used as a field hospital during the Civil War, nicely restored farm with NPS interpreters to tell of it's story on those. dark days in it's past.

singlemomoftwins

brochures and travel guides state that this museum is open 7 days per week in the summer. Upon arrival we encountered a sign stating open Thursday thru Monday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday!!!)

kingstonqueen

If you have a little extra time you should visit the Pry House. The exhibits are small, but the information supplied by the lady who works there is fascinating. We were the only ones there during the time we visited so we got a very thorough tour. She was wonderful explaining the differences between Hollywood's version of Civil War medicine and the truth. We also came to understand the toll on the local civilian population.

susannelenzl

This is an adjunct to the larger and main Civil War medical museum but well worth the visit. Excellent 'view' of some medical practices used during the Civil War

HikingTom

Pry house relives the post-war apocalypse oftrying to treat the wounded and sick. Nicely staged wax figures and real time scene of the day staged in two different rooms. Details of the types of conditions faced by the docs and limitations in their surgical skills, tools, and knowledge of infection explains who died and who wished they had. It's on National PArk Grounds apparently but run by the Museum affiliated in Frederick so there's a separate 'suggested donation' they hit you up for. Cute gifts in the gift shop. Nice view of the former battlefield from a ridge out the back of the house. About a twenty minute walk around.

238mw

Open during most day hours...close to the entrance to Antietam. Some of the fighting took place nearby and this house was used as a field hospital by both sides. They still dig up bones and relics nearby with an on going excavation close as well. Interesting, short stop but nothing compare to the main battlefield.

henryr152

Because it is not near the other battlefield locations I think this museum is often missed. I had been to Antietam twice before and never went to it. I took a group of five this time. The house is beautiful and a scenic overlook is worth the hike up the hill to see it. You will need to be able to go up hill and navigate uneven landscape. The building was not open because it was not Memorial Day yet but from looking inside the museum presentation was well-done. The barn was under renovation. The wayside markers out front told the story well, the small garden was neat, and overall I liked the way it was set up for visitors. During the season I am sure it has staff there. Make a point to see it.

bkelmartin

Well organized and presented. Provides an insight to a subject manner little touched on. The volunteers were knowledgeable and helpful.

437VirginiaG

Very interesting to learn how so much of emergency medicine that is still practiced today started there.

JudyB528

If you are interested in the medical aspects of the civil war, don't miss this museum. You will learn much about Dr. Letterman, who was instrumental in changing the way patients were treated and evaluated. Letterman Hospital in San Francisco is named after him. The staff is very helpful and will go out of their way to explain things. The house also served as headquarters for the Union army.

Whatwethought3

Very interesting to get an idea of this side of the war. Simple, but yet full of information and worth the time to see!

LadyeHawke

Once again, families had little choice. They made the most of the situation and helped as best they could to ease the suffering of so many soldiers. It gave me pause to think just what would I do given a similar situation.

Mommie1212

My husband and I visited the Pry House Field Hospital Museum after visiting Antietam National Battlefield since it was so close. Although the Pry House is run by a non-profit organization and is not part of the National Park Service, it was still very much worth the visit. The grounds were very well maintained, and the tour guides/workers we encountered were very knowledgeable and you could tell they enjoyed being a part of the Pry House. They took the time to answer as many questions as we had, and really knew all of the answers as well. It is really just a visit to the house and the barn, but history was made there, and we loved standing in the same room that Abraham Lincoln did with General McClelland. Well worth the visit!

866TaylorB

The Pry House, a mile or so east of the Antietam battlefield in Sharpsburg, Maryland, is another aspect of the 1862 battle that has been added in recent years. It should be added to your tour, along with the Dunker church, corn field, west woods, sunken road and Burnside's bridge. It was Union Gen. George McClellan's headquarters and a field hospital during the battle and today it is the site of an excellent museum that demonstrates the primitive ways that doctors tried to aid wounded soldiers at that time. Modern surgical methods and antibiotics were unknown. A minie ball in the arm or leg usually meant an amputation. A bullet in the stomach almost certainly was fatal. One Union general was hospitalized at Pry House for two months after the battle and was attended to by his wife and family. But he died of his wounds. There are wonderful exhibits and surgical utensils to demonstrate how doctors in those days tried to aid their patients. It is an excellent addition to the visitor's center and the battlefield tour. From his headquarters, with no trees to spoil the view, McClellan could get an unobstructed view of the battlefield. Not today.

123RobinB

This was the Pry family farm and it was taken over by General McClellan as his war HQ and then it became a hospital after the battle at Antietam. The ranger is knowledgeable and the medical displays and information are interesting. Take a walk around the back and see the herb garden as well.