Antietam National Battlefield Established by Act of Congress on August 30, 1890, this Civil War site marks the end of General Robert E. Lee's first invasion of the North in September 1862. The battle claimed more than 23,000 men killed, wounded, and missing in one single day, September 17,1862, and led to Lincoln's issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Antietam National Cemetery The Battle of Antietam, or Sharpsburg, on September 17, 1862, was the tragic culmination of Robert E. Lee's first invasion of the North. That one fateful day more than 23,110 men were killed, wounded, or listed as missing. Approximately 4,000 were killed, and in the days that followed, many more died of wounds or disease. The peaceful village of Sharpsburg turned into a huge hospital and burial ground extending for miles in all directions.
Antietam National Cemetery is one of the 130 cemeteries of the National Cemetery System, a system that began during the Civil War. There are 4,776 Union remains (1,836 or 38% are unknown) buried here from the Battle of Antietam, South Mountain, Monocacy, and other action in Maryland. All of the unknowns are marked with small square stones. These stones contain the grave number, and if you look closely on a few stones, a small second number represents how many unknowns are buried in that grave. There are also a few of the larger, traditional stones that mark unknown graves.
In addition, more than 200 non-Civil War dead are also buried here. Veterans and their wives from the Spanish-American War, World War I and II, and Korea were also buried here until the cemetery closed in 1953.
Assateague Island National Seashore Storm tossed seas, as well as gentle breezes shape Assateague Island. This barrier island is a tale of constant movement and change.
Bands of wild horses freely roam amongst plants and native animals that have adapted to a life of sand, salt and wind. Special thickened leaves and odd shapes reveal the plant world?s successful struggle here. Ghost crabs buried in the cool beach sand and tree swallows plucking bayberries on their southward migration offer glimpses of the animal world?s connection to Assateague.
Human struggles are intertwined with this island at the ocean?s edge. Gallant surf rescues by the US Life-Saving Service and dashed dreams of a summer beach resort are but a few of the stories told here.
Marine and terrestrial life functioning in concert offer a closer look at a natural and cultural world shaped by forces larger than our own.
Assateague State Park Maryland's only ocean park is located on Assateague Island, a barrier island bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west by Sinepuxent Bay. Two miles of ocean beaches offer swimming, beachcombing, sunbathing, surfing and fishing. The island's bayside offers canoeing to secluded coves. The marsh areas have a variety of wildlife, including deer and feral horses. Assateague was selected by National Geographic Travel magazine in 1994 as one of the 10 best state parks in the United States. This is a Maryland State Park. For full information go to the official webpage. (Link on the right side)
Baltimore-Washington Parkway Opened in 1954, the parkway is a 29-mile scenic highway that connects Baltimore, Maryland with Washington, D.C. The part of the parkway from Washington, D.C. to Fort Meade,Maryland is managed by the National Park Service.
Although the first concept of Parkway design was envisioned by Pierre L'Enfant in his 18th century plan, the concept of a parkway in Washington, D.C. was not approved until 1902. At that time, Parkways were designed for use by bicyclists and horse-drawn carriages.
There are no tolls or fees for use on the parkway. There are no trucks allowed on the parkway.
The United States Park Police patrol the parkway.
Big Run State Park With 300 acres in Garrett County, Big Run State Park offers rustic camping opportunities with 30 unimproved campsites and a youth group camping area. Situated at the mouth of the Savage River Reservoir, the park is 16 miles from exit 24 of Interstate 68. The park is actually surrounded by the acreage of Savage River State Forest and so visitors to the area have an even wider array of recreational opportunities with the facilities at all of these public land sites in Western Maryland. With a boat launch, Big Run is a popular base camp for outdoor-lovers intent on fishing, camping, hiking or hunting. Big Run is the trailhead for a 6-mile hiking trail, known as Monroe Run. There is a rental picnic pavilion which can accommodate 100 people available by reservation. This is a Maryland State Park. For full information go to the official webpage. (Link on the right hand side)
