Cannon along the Hagerstown Pike on Antietam Battlefield
Courtesy of Don Pierce, Civil War Traveler

National Park Events

Antietam National Battlefield

Antietam 2009 Event Calendar

2009 Battle Anniversary Events September 11th - 13th and September 17th

In addition to the major events hosted at the park, there is an introductory program shown each half hour in the Visitor Center and a one hour documentary shown daily at noon. (If you miss the documentary at the Visitors Center we have a copies for viewing in your room.) Daily Park Ranger led activities are posted each day at the Visitor's Center. Tours given on a specific day depend on staff scheduling and availability. Major exhibits are at the Visitor Center and at the Pry House Field Hospital Museum.

There are now over 12 miles of hiking trails on the battlefield, some with podcast guides and booklets that you can download, full color trail guides are also for sale at the visitor's center.

For the latest Visitor Information call 301-432-5124

Harper's Ferry National Historical Park

Harpers Ferry Event Calendar

There are introductory programs shown each half hour. Daily Park Ranger led activities are posted each day at the Visitor's Center. Tours given on a specific day depend on staff scheduling and availability. For the latest Visitor Information call the Park at 304-535-6298.

C&O Canal National Historical Park

C&O Canal Event Calendar

The Ferry Hill, Williamsport and Brunswick park visitor centers are convenient to Sharpsburg. Ferry Hill Plantation (1810) is the closest (2 miles), high above the C&O canal, overlooking the Potomac River and Shepherdstown, WV, it is the former home of Col. Henry Kyd Douglas, CSA, Stonewall Jackson's staff officer and author of  "I Rode With Stonewall". For the latest Visitor Information call the Park at 301-739-4200

South Mountain Battlefield State Park

South Mountain State Battlefield is offering a service to tourists visiting Antietam National Battlefield. A free van shuttle service from Antietam to South Mountain operates on weekends, leaving the Antietam Battlefield Visitor Center at 10:30 a.m. and returning at 12:30 p.m. after touring South Mountain. Park rangers are also offering guided tours at Washington Monument State Park as well as Signal Corps and Civil War Soldier demonstrations. The Battle of South Mountain on September 14th, 1862 set the stage for the devastating Battle of Antietam on September 17th.

Other Events

Shepherdstown Easter Parade
April 11th, 2009


Antietam Battlefield Star Party
April 17th and 18th, 2009
Sponsored by The TriState Astronomers


18th Century Market Faire Weekend
April 23 thru 26th, 2009

At Fort Frederick traders, street vendors, entertainers, colonists, American Indians and military units portray the time period 1730 through 1790 and the customs and dress of a typical Market Faire gathering of this time and geographic area.


Sharpsburg's Old Fashioned Decoration Day Parade
May 23rd, 2009


Shepherdstown Garden Tour
May 23 and 24th, 2009


Western Maryland Blues Fest
May 28th thru 31st, 2009

In nearby Hagerstown, the Western Maryland Blues Fest serves up an annual community celebration centered around one of America's most enduring musical forms-the blues.


Spring Mountain Heritage Arts & Crafts Festivals
June 12 - 14, 2009

Nearly 200 of our nation's most outstanding crafters. One of the largest festivals of this kind on the East Coast, offering something for everyone's taste - and pocketbook. To ensure excellence, all crafters have been prejudged for excellence thus assuring that only first quality items will be displayed and sold.


Contemporary American Theater Festival
July 8 - August 2, 2009

Since its founding in 1990 the acclaimed Contemporary American Theater Festival in Shepherdstown, 3 miles from the Jacob Rohrbach Inn, has produced more than 60 new American plays. Ticket sales begin March 1, 2008 for this increasingly popular festival.


Augustoberfest - German Festival
August 22nd and 23rd, 2009

Enjoy Bavarian food, entertainment and fun in nearby Hagerstown. Celebrate German culture and folklore through food and beer, music, songs, dance and beer.


C&O Canal Days in Williamsport
August 22nd and 23rd, 2009


French and Indian War Muster
August 29th and 30th, 2009

10AM-4PM, Fort Frederick State Park. 18th Century French, British, and American Indian reenactors assemble for a weekend of living history demonstrations. Period craft vendors will also be available.


147th Antietam Battle Anniversary Events
September 11th - 13th and September 17th, 2009

Special ranger-led "real time hikes", historical lectures, living history and music of the Civil War at the Battlefield in Historic Sharpsburg. Starting the evening of the 11th and continuing through the weekend reenactors will present living history demonstrations at locations on the battlefield, encampments and activities will focus on the battle, medical care of the wounded, and the aftermath. The role of the U.S. Sanitary Commission in caring for the soldiers will also be portrayed.

This weekend is also an opportunity to walk the grounds at the same time of day the fighting was taking place 147 years ago. A great variety of activities will take place all weekend.

Annual Pack Horse Ford River Crossing
September 13, 2009

Ford the Potomac at Pack Horse Ford where Lee's retiring army crossed back to the Confederacy after the battle of Antietam. Meet at noon in Shepherdstown at the McMurran Clock Tower for a walk down River Road to the crossing point. Following the crossing into Maryland and a walk back along the C&O Canal towpath to the ferry landing, a flotilla of historic watercraft will carry everyone back to the Tobacco Warehouse.


Fall Mountain Heritage Arts & Crafts Festivals
September 25 - 27, 2009

Nearly 200 of our nation's most outstanding crafters. One of the largest festivals of this kind on the East Coast, offering something for everyone's taste - and pocketbook. To ensure excellence, all crafters have been prejudged for excellence thus assuring that only first quality items will be displayed and sold.


Sharpsburg Ghost Walks
October 8th thru 31st, 2009
Thursday evenings, Saturday the 31st and by Appointment


Antietam Battlefield Star Party
October 16th and 17th, 2009
Sponsored by The TriState Astronomers


150th Anniversary of John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry
Sesquicentennial Commemoration
October 16-18, 2009


Performance of John Brown's Body
Thurs-Sat, Nov 5,6,& 7 at 8 pm
Thurs-Fri, Nov 12 & 13 at 8 pm
Sun, Nov 15 at 3 pm
Thurs-Fri, Nov 19 & 20 at 8 pm
Sun, Nov 22 at 3 pm

At Historic St. Agnes Chapel
Corner of Church and Washington Streets
Shepherdstown, WV


Nora Roberts Book Signing in Boonsboro
November 17th, 2009

Nora Roberts and J D Robb sign "Bed of Roses" and "Kindred in Death"


2009 JFK 50 Ultramarathon
November 21, 2009

We are 6 miles from the start in Boonsboro and close to the midpoint of the race. Maps


20th Annual Memorial Illumination
December 5, 2009

Volunteers place over 23,000 candles on the battlefield; each representing a casualty from the bloodiest single day battle in American History. Driving tour begins at 6:00 p.m. on Route 34 east of Sharpsburg.


Nora Roberts Holiday Event
December 5th, 2009

Meet The Lost Anthology authors

Fall Hiking on the Appalachian Trail