Sunday, November 23, 2008

New developments at Antietam

Things are afoot at your National Park.

Remember the big storm last June? (link and video here

The flagpole in the National Cemetery was left askew from those intense winds.  This coming week a new flagpole will be installed and preparations are underway for the heavy lifting.


Also in the cemetery, work continues on the restoration of the historic rostrum, which is being restored to its former glory.  The new timbers are now in place.


Here's some really big news: 

Finally, the Three Farms and Bloody Lane trails are now open.


At last!  the park is connected by hiking trails from north to south.

Trail markers and maps are in position and just waiting for you.
 
Come to the park with your hiking boots and a lunch, pick up a trail guide brochure and hike the entire park, its good for your heart you know.

Staying in shape, Just north (and now, south too!) of Sharpsburg,

Ranger Mannie


6 comments:

Anonymous said...

All this 'development' of the park makes me want to come back for a visit in '09...but try to improve the weather, Mannie, with sun and more warmth!

Mannie Gentile said...

Jack,

I'll put the requisition in tomorrow!.

Mannie

Anonymous said...

Very Cool. I just finished "Unfurl Those Colors" and wanted to visit to walk the ground. Timing is everything.

Anonymous said...

Mannie,
I was able to get a "preview" of the trails earlier this year on one of the hike days. Mentioned at the time were new wayside markers placed along the trails and replacing some of the 1980s vintage markers elsewhere. Any news on those improvements which are of great interest to us marker hunters?

Craig.

Anonymous said...

Mannie
Do you know if the Park Service is going to create a set of maps for Antietam, similar to the ones for the Fredericksburg-Spotsylvania Courthouse battlefields? These are color maps, several sheets per battle, that show great detail (down to Regt). I know that the Seven Days battlefields are just starting to put out theirs. Anyway, do you know if this is a future project you guys are doing?

Mannie Gentile said...

Stephen, glad to hear it! Regarding maps, I don't know. That could be in the works with our bookstore folks (Western Maryland Interpretive Association) who work very closely with the interpretive department on those sorts of things. I'll keep you posted.

Craig, The new waysides are complete,k the supporting armatures are being fabricated. No official word yet on an installation timeline. I'll keep you posted here.

Jeff, wondering where your comment is? email me, we'll talk. museumofamerica@myactv.net

Thanks everybody.

Mannie