Pry House

Pry House, located on the Antietam National Battlefield in Maryland, is a historic house that played a significant role in the American Civil War, particularly during the Battle of Antietam. The house was used as a headquarters by General George McClellan and as a field hospital during the battle, which was the bloodiest single-day battle in United States history, involving Union Army and Confederate States Army forces. The Pry House is also notable for its association with other prominent figures, including Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and William Tecumseh Sherman. The house has been preserved and is now part of the National Park Service's Antietam National Battlefield park, which also includes the Antietam National Cemetery and the Burnside's Bridge.

● History

The Pry House was built in 1844 by Richard Pry, a local farmer and businessman, who also owned a gristmill and a sawmill in the area. During the American Civil War, the house was used as a headquarters by General George McClellan and his staff, including General Ambrose Burnside and General Joseph Hooker, who planned and directed the Battle of Antietam from the house. The battle, which took place on September 17, 1862, was a pivotal moment in the war, as it stopped the Confederate Army's invasion of the United States and led to the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln. The Pry House also served as a field hospital during the battle, where Clara Barton, a nurse and founder of the American Red Cross, and other medical personnel treated wounded soldiers from both the Union Army and the Confederate States Army. The house has also been associated with other notable events and figures, including the Gettysburg Address and Frederick Douglass.

● Architecture

The Pry House is a classic example of a mid-19th century Federal-style architecture house, with a mix of Greek Revival architecture and Italianate architecture elements. The house was designed by Richard Pry and built using local materials, including limestone and wood. The house features a central hallway and staircase, with parlors and dining rooms on either side, and kitchens and servants' quarters in the rear. The house also has a basement and an attic, which were used for storage and as living quarters for the Pry family's slaves. The Pry House has undergone several renovations and restorations over the years, including a major restoration project in the 1970s led by the National Park Service and the Historic Preservation Society.

● Preservation

The Pry House was preserved and restored by the National Park Service in the 1970s, as part of the Antietam National Battlefield park. The preservation effort was led by Historic Preservation Society and involved the restoration of the house to its original appearance, using historic documents and archaeological evidence. The house was also furnished with period-correct furniture and artifacts, including pieces from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian Institution. The Pry House is now open to the public for tours, which are led by National Park Service rangers and volunteers from the Antietam National Battlefield park. The house is also used for educational programs and events, including re-enactments and living history demonstrations, which are sponsored by the National Park Service and the Civil War Trust.

● Significance

The Pry House is significant not only for its association with the Battle of Antietam and the American Civil War, but also for its role in the broader history of the United States. The house is a rare example of a historic house that has been preserved and restored to its original appearance, and it provides a unique glimpse into the lives of the people who lived and worked there during the 19th century. The Pry House is also significant for its association with prominent figures, including Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and William Tecumseh Sherman, who all played important roles in the American Civil War and the Reconstruction Era. The house has been recognized as a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with other notable historic sites, including the Gettysburg National Military Park and the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park.

● Visitors_and_Exhibits

The Pry House is open to the public for tours, which are led by National Park Service rangers and volunteers from the Antietam National Battlefield park. The house features a number of exhibits and displays, including artifacts and relics from the Battle of Antietam and the American Civil War. Visitors can also see the kitchen and dining room where Clara Barton and other medical personnel treated wounded soldiers, as well as the parlors and bedrooms where General George McClellan and his staff planned and directed the battle. The Pry House also offers a number of educational programs and events, including re-enactments and living history demonstrations, which are sponsored by the National Park Service and the Civil War Trust. Visitors can also explore the surrounding Antietam National Battlefield park, which includes the Antietam National Cemetery and the Burnside's Bridge, and attend events and re-enactments at the Gettysburg National Military Park and the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. Category:Historic houses in Maryland