Newcomer House

06/02/2026

It's June! As of today, Tues 6/2, the Newcomer House is open six days a week from 10 am to 4 pm. Closed Mondays. Located on Antietam National Battlefield off of Route 34 just outside Sharpsburg, MD, the house provides a glimpse into the local civilian experience at the time of the battle. It also serves as an information center for the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, covering Carroll, Frederick and Washington counties. We offer monthly Porch Programs May through November. Come by for a visit! For more information, check out the HCWHA website https://heartofthecivilwar.org/ If you're interested in becoming a Newcomer House volunteer, contact Elizabeth Paul at [email protected].

05/31/2026

Check out the engaging monthly programs planned at the Newcomer House for the 2026 season. We had a great kick-off with a living history skirmish demo and Ranger hike on Sat 5/30. We hope you can attend some or all of the upcoming events! The historic Newcomer House is located on Antietam National Battlefield, just outside Sharpsburg along Route 34. Open 6 days a week starting this month from 10 am to 4 pm, closed Mondays. For more details on programs, the Newcomer House, or the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, scan the QR code or go to the website https://heartofthecivilwar.org/

05/31/2026

Our first Porch Program of the 2026 season was a great success on a perfect weather day on Sat 5/30! In a field off the Tidball Trail, the 3rd US Regular Infantry provided an engaging, informative talk and skirmish demonstration. Visitors had an opportunity to talk with the Regulars afterwards and ask questions. Then NPS Ranger Mark continued the experience with an informative hike of the Middle Bridge area of Antietam National Battlefield including the Tidball and Sherrick Farm Trails. Thank you to the Regulars, Ranger Mark, and all who attended!
Our next Porch Program is Sat 6/20 and Sun 6/21 with John Milleker Photography for an experience with Civil War era wet plate photography and more! Check out the calendar posting on the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area website https://heartofthecivilwar.org/

05/24/2026

Our first Porch Program is next Saturday, May 30, starting at 1 pm. The 3rd US Regular Infantry will present military and civilian living history near the Newcomer House, including a skirmish demonstration. The demonstration will be part of a ranger-led hike of the Middle Bridge area of the battlefield, including the Tidball Trail and Sherrick Farm Trail, to focus on the 5th Corps at the Battle of Antietam.
Visitors will meet at the historic Newcomer House on the Antietam National Battlefield at 1:00 pm for an introduction and safety briefing before walking to the Tidball waysides for the skirmish demonstration. After the demonstration, visitors may return to the Newcomer House, talk with the Regulars, or continue on the ranger-led hike. The hike will be under 2 miles and will last up to two hours. Visitors are reminded to wear comfortable footwear and to dress appropriately for the weather. This program is FREE and open to the public; it does not require registration.

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Porch Programs are back! On Saturday, May 30, the 3rd US Regular Infantry will present military and civilian living history near the Newcomer House, including a skirmish demonstration. The demonstration will be part of a ranger-led hike of the Middle Bridge area of the battlefield, including the Tidball Trail and Sherrick Farm Trail, to focus on the 5th Corps at the Battle of Antietam.

Visitors will meet at the historic Newcomer House on the Antietam National Battlefield at 1:00 pm for an introduction and safety briefing before walking to the Tidball waysides for the skirmish demonstration. After the demonstration, visitors may return to the Newcomer House, talk with the Regulars, or continue on the ranger-led hike. The hike will be under 2 miles and will last up to two hours. Visitors are reminded to wear comfortable footwear and to dress appropriately for the weather. This program is free and does not require advance registration.

Learn more at the link: https://heartofthecivilwar.org/event/ranger-hike-and-skirmish-demonstration-at-historic-newcomer-house/

04/16/2026

Thanks to Visit Hagerstown and Washington County for organizing the semi-annual meeting of Museums and Historic Sites today. And thanks to Fort Frederick State Park for hosting today's meeting. The Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area was represented by Newcomer House manager Elizabeth Paul who shared upcoming events including the Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage on Saturday, June 13. These meetings are a great opportunity for local sites and organizations to support each other through ideas, funding suggestions, and collaborations. The Newcomer House is open weekends from 10 am to 4 pm through May; then 6 days a week starting in June (closed Mondays). Interested in volunteering? Email us at [email protected].
Www.heartofthecivilwar.org

04/11/2026

Did you know that Antietam National Battlefield offers Ranger Hikes some weekends? Ranger Mark led the Snavely Ford Hike today, an engaging, informative, off-trail hike through field and woods that gave a very real sense of this terrain's impact on troop activity and the challenges faced. Come for a Ranger Hike and stop by the Newcomer House before or after to learn more about the civilian experience of locals. Find out about other exciting places to visit in the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area which covers Washington, Frederick and Carroll Counties. The Newcomer House serves as an information center for the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area. Open weekends in April and May, 10 am to 4 pm. Open 6 days a week starting in June (closed Mondays). If you have questions or want to volunteer at the House, email us at [email protected] or messages us through this page.

04/04/2026

Located on Antietam National Battlefield, the Newcomer House is now open for the 2026 season! Saturdays and Sundays in April and May, from 10 am to 4 pm. Six days a week starting in June. Stop by to get a glimpse of civilian life at the time of the battle at Antietam, and learn about other events and places to visit in the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area which includes Washington, Frederick, and Carroll Counties. Questions? Email [email protected].

12/06/2025

The volunteer crew setting up our display! A combination of Board and Advisory council members and family members. Thank You all🫶

12/06/2025

We'll be open for visitors from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. today. Approximately 1500 volunteers will be all over the battlefield laying out 23,000 luminaries to honor the casualties of the September 17, Battle of Antietam. The main Visitor Center and Battlefield will close at 3:00 p.m. And the ride through the illumination runs from 6:00 p.m. to midnight.

11/13/2025

Looks like we'll be open this weekend! Stop in the welcome our volunteer docents back and learn about a civilian experience from the Battle of Antietam. And plan many more interesting trips in the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area