Newcomer House

10/22/2026

EVENT CANCELED: The South Mountain State Battlefield Cannon Detachment is unable to attend this weekend due to unforeseen circumstances. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our visitors. We hope to have the Detachment for a weekend next season.

10/19/2026

UPDATE/CANCELED: Unfortunately, this event has been canceled for both days. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the South Mountain State Battlefield Cannon Detachment is unable to come this weekend. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We hope to have them here next season.

This Sat 10/24 and Sun 10/25, the South Mountain State Battlefield Cannon Detachment will be at the Newcomer House on Antietam National Battlefield with the artillery. Please note that, due to issues out of their control, NO FIRINGS of the equipment will occur. But the artillery will be there and educational talks by members of the Detachment will still take place. So please come by to join the South Mountain State Battlefield Cannon Detachment as they share information about Union Artillerymen from the 1862 battle. Discover the significance of artillery during the Battle of Antietam and learn the story of John Tidball, Captain of Battery A, 2nd US Artillery, and his men as they pulled artillery up the steep hill beside the Newcomer House.

This program is FREE and open to the public. Learn more at the link: https://heartofthecivilwar.org/event/newcomer-porch-program-south-mountain-state-battlefield-cannon-detachment/

10/15/2026

Please be aware of this partial closure on 10/27 and 10/28 at Antietam National Battlefield. It will not impact the artillery weekend 10/24 and 10/25 at the Newcomer House.

🚨 PARTIAL CLOSURE ALERT: ANTIETAM NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD 🚨

📅 CLOSED OCT. 27–28:
⛔ Dunker Church
⛔ Dunker Church Road
⛔ Visitor Center
⛔ Trails near the O.T. Reilly Monument

Specialists will remove unexploded projectiles from the base of the O.T. Reilly Monument.

✅ Other battlefield areas will remain open.
🚧 Please follow posted signs and staff directions.

📲 Check for updates: nps.gov/anti
☎️ Questions? Call 301-432-5124.

10/12/2026

EVENT CANCELED: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the South Mountain State Battlefield Cannon Detachment is unable to attend this weekend. We apologize for any inconvenience ro our visitors.

Save the dates and plan to come out for these artillery demonstrations on Saturday 10/24 and Sunday 10/25 at the Newcomer House on Antietam National Battlefield.

EDIT: Please note that due to issues beyond their control, the South Mountain State Battlefield Cannon Detachment will NOT be conducting the firings originally planned. They will be at the Newcomer House on Antietam National Battlefield both Saturday and Sunday with the artillery but no live demonstrations.

Join the South Mountain State Battlefield Cannon Detachment at the historic Newcomer House on Antietam National Battlefield as they portray Union Artillerymen from the 1862 battle on Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25. Discover the significance of artillery during the Battle of Antietam and learn the story of John Tidball, Captain of Battery A, 2nd US Artillery, and his men as they pulled artillery up the steep hill beside the Newcomer House.

Cannon firing demonstrations will be presented both days at 11:00am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm. This program and demonstrations are FREE and open to the public. Learn more at the link: https://heartofthecivilwar.org/event/newcomer-porch-program-south-mountain-state-battlefield-cannon-detachment/

09/27/2026

Did you know you are allowed to pick up to one bushel of walnuts a day for personal use/consumption at Antietam National Battlefield? A few walnut trees, near the Newcomer House by our picnic tables, have been dropping walnuts lately. Come collect some that have dropped. Accessible during Park hours, even if the House is closed.

09/19/2026

More great photos from the canoe tour group that stopped by the Newcomer House on Friday. What a great way to experience Antietam from a new perspective!

09/18/2026

More from today's visitors.

09/18/2026

Come to Antietam National Battlefield this weekend to commemorate 164 years since this bloody battle. Many talks, tours, hikes, and more - check the linked schedule. Stop by the Newcomer House while you're here to learn more about the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area and civilian life here at the time of the battle.

This weekend Antietam National Battlefield will commemorate the 164th Anniversary of the Battle of Antietam. We will have 2 full days of ranger led talks, tours, hikes, and living history events. The full schedule is available on our website. https://www.nps.gov/anti/planyourvisit/2026-battle-anniversary-events.htm

09/18/2026

This afternoon the Newcomer House enjoyed welcoming a canoe tour group "Antietam as Seen from the Antietam," led by renowned historian and Washington County native Dennis Frye. The tour was for Shepherd University's Civil War Center. Shepherd president Dr. Cameron Wesson and Provost Dr. Jack DeRocha were part of the illustrious group. The group crossed paths with an Orndorff descendant who stopped by today as well. Christian Orndorff built the original mills and houses on the property. We always enjoy welcoming visitors to the Newcomer House on Antietam National Battlefield in the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area. Open Tuesday through Sunday 10 am to 4 pm until the end of September; then weekends only through Saturday 12/5.

09/17/2026

To commemorate this pivotal battle 164 years today and the 23,000 casualties (killed, wounded, missing), Antietam National Battlefield has many programs going on today and through the weekend. Check out the link in their post for information. The Newcomer House is open daily through Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm with a glimpse of civilian life at the time of the battle, and information about other Civil War sites in the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, covering Carroll, Frederick and Washington counties.

Today we commemorate the 164th Anniversary of the Battle of Antietam. A ranger led all day hike of the battlefield will begin at the visitor center, 9a. We will have other ranger talks and a car caravan tour of the field with a park ranger. Our park website has all the details and a full schedule of events for the weekend. We hope you can make it out to the park. https://www.nps.gov/anti/planyourvisit/2026-battle-anniversary-events.htm