We both learned the history of Andersonville Prison long ago when studying the U.S. Civil War in school. Nearly 13,000 people died there of disease, exposure, and starvation. The information in the videos and tours describes the conditions from diaries of those who survived. It also puts perspective on this one site; Andersonville’s infamous reputation started even before the war ended, but very poor treatment of POWs during the Civil War happened on both sides. We arrived a little early for the opening of the POW Museum so toured some of the area, then the museum when it opened.
The museum offers two 30 minute videos, playing alternately on the hour and half hour. We watched both and highly recommend them. One is about Andersonville and a good introduction to the two driving tours, the other is about U.S. POWs and interviews people who served and were captured and held, and also reads from diaries from those held in other wars including in Andersonville. The museum contains exhibits of the POW experience from all wars. Both videos, the museum, and the driving tours impressed us. We stayed far longer than we anticipated.
Upon leaving the ranger asked us our opinion. We both searched for the words to describe it. It was a powerful experience being there, knowing what happened, and learning more about the people who endured the experience of prisoners of war. The Ranger said that those emotions are common from people who visit. We both would repeat the experience, and learned a lot.
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