Located in southwestern Georgia, Andersonville National Historic Site was established by Congress in 1970 to "provide an understanding of the Civil War prisoner of war (POW) story, to interpret the role of prisoner of war camps in history, and to commemorate the sacrifice of Americans who lost their lives in such camps.” (Public Law 91-465).

The site consists of Andersonville Prison, the National Prisoner of War Museum, and the national cemetery. The museum opened at Andersonville in 1998, and it is dedicated to all brave men and women of the United States who have suffered captivity. More than 18,000 soldiers and their families are buried in the cemetery at Andersonville.

Today, this 515-acre historic site is a tribute to the prisoner of war experience. Etched on memorials throughout the park, and throughout the prisoner of war experience in American history, is the phrase, "Death Before Dishonor," symbolizing the American resolve to uphold the value of freedom and liberty in the face of adversity.

—Center for the State of the Parks

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