Newcomer House

09/01/2026

We had a wonderful time with beautiful weather on Saturday for the annual Play Music on the Porch Day, a day to play for peace celebrated worldwide. The Hancock Civil War String Band kicked off the day with a great performance that combined history and music. After lunch, they stuck around for the jam session with other musicians who joined in to play and/or sing. We played and sang for peace on the grounds of the bloodiest battle in US history. And we paid tribute to the late beloved Dolly. We had such a good time we're already thinking about next year! If you missed this year, mark your calendar now for the last Saturday in August. 🎼🎶🪕🥁🎻🎺🪈🪗🎷🎵

09/01/2026

Please know that trails around the Park were heavily impacted by last Thursday's storm. Staff are working hard to clear the debris and trees to get trails open. Check with the Visitors Center for more information. The Newcomer House was fortunate to have only a near-miss with a walnut tree that came down. It will be removed eventually, but it is not a high priority until other park areas are accessible. See our post from Friday for how close the tree came to the House!

Due to storm damage, Snavely Ford Trail and Sherrick Farm Trail are both currently closed. Our crew is out working on getting these both open ASAP. Thank you for your understanding.

08/31/2026

A glimpse of the early afternoon jam yesterday celebrating international Play Music on the Porch Day at the Newcomer House on Antietam National Battlefield. We were a little off the porch but a wonderful day of music and song, starting in the morning with the Hancock Civil War String Band. Most of the band stayed for the afternoon jam session with about 12 others joining over the course of the afternoon. We played for peace on the grounds of the bloodiest battle in US history.
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area

08/31/2026

More from the afternoon jam session yesterday after the morning performance by the Hancock Civil War String Band. Most of the band were able to stick around and about 12 others joined in over several hours in the afternoon. Here's the late afternoon group. This was to celebrate international Play Music on the Porch Day. At Antietam National Battlefield, we played for peace near the porch of the Newcomer House in the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area. Last Saturday in August every year, so if you missed this year, make a note for next year! Many events around the world as well as people going out on their own porches to play.

08/29/2026

We chose shade in the afternoon, but the porch wasn't too far away to celebrate International Play Music on the Porch Day at the Newcomer House on Antietam National Battlefield, part of the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area. The Hancock Civil War String Band kicked off the morning, then after lunch stayed around to join other musicians for a jam session. Lots of great music and singing! The last Saturday in August every year is . If you missed it this year, join the fun next year! 🎶🎻🪕🎺🥁🎷🪈🪉🪇🎹🪗🎸🎼🎵

08/29/2026

Great Civil War era music and storytelling this morning with the Hancock Civil War String Band at the Newcomer House on Antietam National Battlefield. Jam session after lunch! Join us and bring your instruments to celebrate Play Music on the Porch Day! Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area

08/29/2026

Gorgeous day to hear the Hancock Civil War String Band at the Newcomer House on Antietam National Battlefield. Come join us and then join the jam session around 12:30 pm to celebrate Play Music on the Porch Day!
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area

08/28/2026

Whew, a near miss from last night's storm in the Sharpsburg area! Only leaves grazed the side of the Newcomer House, but absolutely no damage and no impact on our parking areas. So, come out tomorrow on a beautiful Saturday 8/29 to celebrate Play Music on the Porch Day with the Hancock Civil War String Band in the morning starting at 10:30 am, and then an open jam session after lunch at about 12:30. Bring your instruments and join in! Great family event! Free and open to the public. At Antietam National Battlefield in the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area.

08/18/2026

On Saturday 8/29, come celebrate International Play Music on the Porch Day at the Newcomer House on Antietam National Battlefield with the Hancock Civil War String Band! The Band will present its musical program at 10:30 am and then at 12:30 pm, after a brief lunch break, will lead a jam session with any musicians who want to join in! Great fun and great music last year, don't miss it this year! Some chairs and pop-up canopies will be provided. Come to enjoy the show and bring your instrument for later! Free and open to the public. 🎼🎵🎻🎺🎷🪕🪊🪇🥁🎶
For more information, check out the event on the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area website (QR code on the flyer or https://heartofthecivilwar.org/event/newcomer-house-porch-program-international-play-music-on-the-porch-day/ )

08/06/2026

Some interesting programs at Antietam National Battlefield this weekend! With the Society of Civil War Surgeons. Check them out and stop by the Newcomer House to see how citizens lived at the time of the battle. You'll also find out more about the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area which includes Carroll, Frederick and Washington counties.

The Society of Civil War Surgeons will be presenting programs at the battlefield all weekend long starting Friday, August 7 through Sunday, August 9.

The schedule below applies to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We hope to see you at the park.


9:00 am - 5:00pm Visit multiple stations on Civil War Medicine manned by our living history volunteers. Each station will discuss a different aspect of Civil War medicine. The touch table will be open during this time with items that visitors can pick up, touch, and learn about.

SPECIAL DAILY PRESENTATIONS EACH DAY

10:30 - 11:00 am Medical Demonstration - This is a demonstration of one of five typical operations performed by surgeons on the evening of September 17, 1862, at the Battle of Antietam. See the Surgeon’s medical techniques prior to the age of Germ Theory.

12:00 - 12:15 pm Checking the New Recruits - Medical inspection of the new soldiers. We will use the early war three station method to check “potential soldiers” for their ability to “pass” the recruitment standards in this interactive program.

1:15 - 1:45 pm Medical Demonstration

3:00 - 3:30 pm What Killed You? - What killed most soldiers during the war? Become a soldier and find out what “killed” you in this interactive program.

Photo: Dr. Jonathan Letterman, Medical Director of the Army of the Potomac, and Staff. Library of Congress.