“One Vast Hospital” Frederick, Maryland’s role after the Civil War battles

 “One Vast Hospital” explores Frederick, Maryland’s role as a hospital center after the Civil War battles of Antietam and South Mountain

Frederick, MD - Church spires that highlight the Frederick, Maryland skyline have become a symbol of the city’s distinguished heritage and beauty. In 1862, in the aftermath of the battles of Antietam and South Mountain, many of these structures and others throughout town served as hospitals when Frederick was transformed into one vast hospital center as the sick, wounded, and dying needed care. On Friday, Sept. 21, and Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012, visitors can take a self-guided walking tour of select historic sites throughout town and learn how Frederick served as “One Vast Hospital” during the Civil War.

“One Vast Hospital” is a self-guided tour of antebellum churches and other sites that served as hospitals after the battles of South Mountain and Antietam during the 1862 Maryland Campaign. In coordination with the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, a half dozen of Frederick's churches and historic sites that served as Civil War hospitals will open their doors during this special open house event and self-guided Civil War walking tour to commemorate the memory of the thousands of wounded that graced their halls. It will also pay tribute to the military surgeons, stewards, and the citizens of Frederick that gave their heart, time and money to restore the broken bodies, minds, and spirits of the wounded.

“We’re in the midst of 150th anniversary commemorations of the Civil War,” says John Fieseler, Executive Director for the Tourism Council of Frederick County. “Most of the historic houses of worship and other structures in town were critical after the battles of Antietam and South Mountain. In the days after these battles, Frederick became a major hospital center, and they were used as hospitals and housing while providing compassionate care for the injured, sick, and dying.”

Throughout the year, Frederick’s National Museum of Civil War Medicine, located at 48 E. Patrick Street, Frederick, Maryland, offers stories of medical care and healing during the Civil War, camp life, and the role Frederick’s churches played during the war to care for the sick and wounded.

“One Vast Hospital” will feature refreshment stops, special exhibits, living history programs, and children's activities. Event brochures are available at the Frederick Visitor Center, online, and at participating sites.  For more information, visit http://www.fredericktourism.org/landing/OneVastHospital.

One Vast Hospital - Participating Sites
Open House and Self-Guided Civil War Walking Tour of 1862 Hospital Sites

Historic Downtown Frederick, Maryland 
Friday, September 21, 2012 from 5-9pm
Saturday, September 22, 2012 from 1-4 pm
FREE / NO TICKETS NEEDED
Website

Walking tour brochures are available at the 
Frederick Visitor Center, 151 S. East Street, Frederick, MD and at participating sites.
OR
Download a PDF of the brochure 

All Saints' Episcopal Church
106 W Church Street

Bjorlee Museum & Hessian Barracks
101 Clarke Place

Evangelical Lutheran Church
31 E. Church Street

Quinn Chapel
106 E. 3rd Street

Trinity Chapel & Evangelical Reformed Church
10 & 11W. Church Street

Visitation Academy
200 E. 2^nd Street

Presented by the 
National Museum of Civil War Medicine 
Divided by Conflict - United by Compassion
www.CivilWarMed.org or 301-695-1864x14

Sponsored by
Tourism Council of Frederick County, Inc.
151 S. East Street, Frederick, MD 21701
Call 301-600-4047 or 800-999-3613
Tourism@FredCo-MD.net

One Vast Hospital is one of the Top Five 150th Anniversary Civil War Commemorative Events and Exhibits in Frederick County in 2012

Learn more about other 150th Anniversary Civil War commemorative events and activities.