Field Trip: Gathland/South Mountain, Maryland

Gathland State Park was once the mountain home of George Alfred Townsend, a Civil War journalist, and is located in Crampton's Gap, which witnessed a portion of the Battle of South Mountain, the first major battle of the Civil War fought in Maryland.

The War Correspondents Arch is a National historic monument. Constructed in 1896, the monument stands fifty feet high and forty feet broad.

Two buildings from Townsend’s estate survive, and now serve as Gathland State Park's museum. The museum features many artifacts from Townsend’s life, career and estate, as well as artifacts from the Battle of South Mountain. 

The museum is open on weekends in April and October, and seven days a week from May through September. It is closed during the winter.

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail passes through Gathland State Park, and you can walk/hike through the park.