Preserve the Most Important 11 Acres Left to Save at Antietam!

The Trust is working with a private landowner to secure the “doughnut hole” of unprotected land right in the middle of the Antietam Battlefield.

This tract at Antietam we have the chance to save is just a few steps behind the Dunker Church building and part of the West Woods.

A black and white photograph of Dunker Church with Confederate Dead and a cannon in the foreground. — In Alexander Gardner's photograph from the battle's aftermath, Confederate dead are shown on the east side of the Hagerstown Pike near the hill where the Visitor Center is located today, with the photographer looking toward the Dunker Church. National Park Service

These 11 acres are, by far, some of the most important acres left to secure at Antietam. They not only witnessed, but were at the center of, the surging attacks and counterattacks that defined the deadliest day in American history.

We must quickly raise the $150,000 needed so we can fill in this 11-acre hole in the battle map and ensure the Antietam Battlefield is intact and preserved.

Please hurry to make your gift to save this sacred land at Antietam, and you’ll receive our latest Challenge Coin.

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The History at Antietam

This key parcel of land witnessed critical parts of the Antietam battle. During their furious and costly charge to the Cornfield, the right flank of General John Bell Hood’s Confederate division crossed this ground.

Shortly after, South Carolinians under General Joseph B. Kershaw worked to defeat Union soldiers were involved in the fights for the West Woods and the Sunken Road. The 34th New York also occupied this land ... as did Maryland and Pennsylvania soldiers from the Union Twelfth Corps for a time.

After the battle, photographer Alexander Gardner recorded some of the most famous photos of the war here. And what’s more amazing — the trees on this tract appear in every photo and sketch of the Dunker Church!

A sketch by well known Civil War artist Alfred Waud depicts a truce between the opposing sides being held in front of the church on September 18, 1862. — A sketch by artist Alfred Waud depicts a truce between the opposing sides being held in front of the Dunker Church on September 18, 1862. Library of Congress

“Without hesitation, I can tell you that these 11 acres are, by far, some of the most important acres left to secure at Antietam. They not only witnessed, but were at the center of, the surging attacks and counterattacks that defined the deadliest day in American history.”

David N. Duncan, President

Read David's letter

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