Weekends only in May and September. Originally a small resort community, this picturesque site became a Union hospital then, beginning in early 1863, a prison holding captured Confederate soldiers. By June 1864 more than 20,000 prisoners crowded the camp. Terrible conditions led to the deaths of 3,384 men. Cemetery and monuments to the prisoner dead is located near the entrance to the multi-use park.
Visitor center has Civil War exhibits and features walking trails to the prison site.
Park open year-round. Fee charged weekends and holidays during the summer. John Brown rented this farm in July 1859 to train his men and stockpile arms and ammunition for his raid on Harpers Ferry. The farm is privately owned and is open some weekend mornings May-October. Other times, park in the lot in front of the house and listen to the recorded messages played on the front porch.