On my drive toward Antietam this morning, I wondered how many would actually be there (here) so early in the morning. Upon closing-in on the park entrance, I noticed the increased traffic. Making the left turn and rounding the corner… the Visitor’s Center parking lot was closed… already full.
I continued past the Dunker Church and on… down to the sesqui event parking area, across the road from the cornfield. I snapped this Droid photo of the vehicles still coming down the road…
I took a lot of other photos with my Canon, but here are a few more glimpses courtesy of the Droid camera…
The crowd at The Cornfield tour…
Musket smoke over the cornfield…
Another glimpse of the crowd, after walking through The Cornfield…
I can’t possibly capture the massive number of folks here, but… I’d say that the Sesqui is doing better than many might think.
Blogger pal, Craig Swain and I tried to venture a guess… was it 600… or 1,000 present at The Cornfield presentation? Can’t say for certain, but it was A LOT, especially for it being so early.
Add to that… premier programs by the NPS, such as what I’ve seen and experienced at both Harpers Ferry and Antietam, over the past five days, well… if this sets the standard for expectations of things to come, we’ve got lots more to anticipate. I think, however, Antietam may have set the bar. Of course, as rural as it is, the benefit is obvious. More to follow later. Maybe not today, but later this week.
In short… yes… seems a lot of folks care…
Cenantua's Blog 
Carolyn Cooper
September 17, 2012
You might be interested in my grandmother’s photos of the Antietam site as taken in about 1910. Hardly anyone there then. See http://www.flickr.com/photos/frogfarm/7988009306/in/set-72157631540266347 and succeeding few photos in the set.
Robert Moore
September 17, 2012
Thanks, Carolyn!
JMRudy
September 18, 2012
Good seeing you, Robert. The guess that was being shot around the staff was 800, but that’s frankly just as much a ballpark as your numbers.
Let me know the next time (weekday) you’re coming to Harpers Ferry and we can try to do lunch.
Robert Moore
September 20, 2012
Same here, John. I had also heard that number floating around.
Yes, I’ll have to let you know when I’m up there again. I frequent the place, so I’m sure it won’t be too far in the future.
Jess M.
September 19, 2012
I was there over the weekend, and I, too, was pleasantly surprised by the amount of people present. Not to mention all of the great events–the tours, the lectures, the presentations. I definitely agree that Antietam set the bar.
Robert Moore
September 20, 2012
Thanks for commenting. Yes, it was really very amazing to look back down the road, after I had parked, and seeing the long line of cars still coming in. December isn’t too far away, so Fredericksburg is beckoning for the next big event!