Gettysburg National Cemetery is the final resting place for more than 3,500 Union soldiers killed in the Battle of Gettysburg.

On this blog we offer many posts about our historic Lowell cemeteries. Cemeteries are an important and intimate part of our lives and our ancestry. Stories abound there about individuals, families, our history and our culture.

As we continue through this year of remembrance for the Sesquicentennnial of the American Civil War the National Parks Service is highlighting some of the national Civil War cemeteries under their care and stewardship.

Creating national cemeteries became a necessity during the American Civil War in order for the United States military to respectfully bury the dead. These National Cemeteries have become national shrines, honoring the sacrifice and valor of the men and women who have served this country throughout its history. The National Park Service’s Heritage Education Services and Federal Preservation Institute, the Department of Veterans Affairs Historic Preservation Office and National Cemetery Administration History Program, and the National Preservation Institute, in partnership with the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers, produced this Civil War Era National Cemeteries Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and remember those who served.

Check this National Park Service website to lean more about Civil War Era National Cemeteries: Honoring Those Who Served. See photos of the cemeteries and consider a travel itinerary that would include a visit to a Civil War cemetery.