Antietam National Battlefield Cemetery Wall Repairs
Workers repairing section of the cemetery wall. Exact date unknown.
Antietam National Battlefield Cemetery Wall Repairs
Source Courtesy of the National Park Service Antietam National Battlefield Cemetery Wall Repairs
Antietam National Battlefield Cemetery Wall Repairs
Description
The Battle of Antietam took place on September 17, 1862, and is known as the bloodiest day of the Civil War. General George B. McClellan and his Union forces faced off against General Robert E. Lee and his Confederate Army at Sharpsburg, Maryland. When the fighting was done, well over 3,500 men were dead, and another 19,000 wounded.
Throughout the New Deal period, Antietam National Battlefield received a large amount of attention, funding, and work from the CWA, PWA, and WPA. The CWA placed a historical survey group there, circa 1933-34; the PWA funded restoration of large buildings and monuments, such as the War Correspondents Memorial Arch; and the WPA improved roads, graded and landscaped the grounds, reset monuments, constructed retaining walls, restored bridges, assisted with the 75th anniversary events of the Battle of Antietam, performed extensive work on Antietam National Cemetery, and more.
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Antietam National Battlefield Cemetery Wall
This photo shows the WPA work sign. The caption reads, "Entrance to utility area on west side of cemetery being improved. WPA Project No. 3583."
Antietam National Battlefield Cemetery Wall
Source Courtesy of the National Park Service Antietam National Battlefield Cemetery Wall
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War Correspondents Memorial Arch Under Construction
The Public Works Administration was also involved in historic preservation at Antietam. The caption for this photo reads, "PWA Project FP 420. War Correspondents Memorial Arch under repairs." Exact date unknown.
War Correspondents Memorial Arch Under Construction
Source Courtesy of the National Park Service War Correspondents Memorial Arch Under Construction
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Antietam National Cemetery Wall Today
Antietam National Cemetery Wall Today
Photo: Brent McKee Source Public Domain 2011Antietam National Cemetery Wall Today
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Antietam National Battlefield Rock Retaining Wall and Gutter
Much of the WPA's roadwork is still present at the battlefield, such as this retaining wall and gutter. As you can see, the National Park Service has recently repointed these sections
Antietam National Battlefield Rock Retaining Wall and Gutter
Photo: Brent McKee Source Public Domain 2012Antietam National Battlefield Rock Retaining Wall and Gutter
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Burnside Bridge
According to a Baltimore Sun article, a WPA project was approved to restore Burnside Bridge to its original wartime appearance. This would involve replacing concrete coping with wood coping, repainting, removal of monuments, and reconstruction of bridge corners ("WPA Project Planned For Burnside Span," September 18, 1940, p. 24).
Burnside Bridge
Photo: Brent McKee Source Public Domain 2012Burnside Bridge
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Antietam National Monument Stonework
According to the Park Service, the stonework around this monument was a WPA creation.
Antietam National Monument Stonework
Photo: Brent McKee Source Public Domain 2012Antietam National Monument Stonework
Source notes
Project submitted by Brent McKee
“Hagerstown Recalls Antietam,” by Arthur B. Musgrave, Baltimore Sun, June 13, 1937, p. 84.
“WPA Project Planned For Burnside Span,” Washington Post, September 18, 1940, p. 24.
“Two Maryland Projects Approved By Roosevelt: WPA Allotments Provide For Work Records And For Improving Antietam Battlefield,” Baltimore Sun, May 4, 1941, p. 21.
We welcome contributions of additional information on any New Deal project site.
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