In my real life, away from the internet, I own Valley Studio (www.valleystudio.net) … a full service photography business. You know, brides, babies, beasts (pets), photo restoration and a little custom framing. One of the most intriguing assignments I have had over the last 20 years has been, with the help of my brother Bo, to photograph the Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination. Each year over 1,000 volunteers place and light 23,110 luminaries over a large portion of the battlefield … one for each casualty of the battle at Antietam (near Sharpsburg, Maryland) on September 17, 1862. This was the single bloodiest day of the Civil War. This special event happens only once a year on the first Saturday in December and has been ongoing since 1989. I feel very fortunate and honored to have been chosen to be the “official photographer” for the Illumination.
What is a luminary? Simple … a brown paper bag, a bit larger than a lunch bag, with a cup of sand in the bottom (for weight) and a special, long-burning votive candle. Imagine the time it takes to prepare more than 23,000 of these!
Shown here is a selection of favorite photographs from the Memorial Illumination. You will find them available on posters, ceramic tiles, keepsake boxes, clocks, greeting cards, calendars, journals, mugs and more … all of which are great gifts for anyone who is a student of the Civil War.
As this event is funded in part by donations, a portion of the proceeds from sales of these items will be donated to the Memorial Illumination.
Donations total will be posted here at the beginning of January.
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UNKNOWN SOLDIER Photographed at the National Cemetery in Sharpsburg Maryland, this poster tells the story of an unknown soldier who, at long last, finds his way home. |
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ALONG SMOKETOWN ROAD (07) Fields of candle luminaries, both near and far, along Smoketown Road on the ... |
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ONE LUMINARY - ONE LIFE (99) One luminary candle, isolated from the thousands placed on the battlefield represents ... |
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IRISH BRIGADE MONUMENT (97) Dedicated in 1997, this may be the last monument to be placed at Antietam |
MOONLIGHT OVER DUNKER CHURCH (96) An almost full moon casts its light over the historic Dunker Church at the Antietam Battlefield |
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NEW YORK MONUMENT (95) In the middle of a huge field of candles is the beautiful New York Monument ... |
VIEW FROM VISITORS' CENTER (95) A nearly panoramic view of a huge field of luminaries at Antietam ... |
MUMMA CEMETERY AT ANTIETAM A view of the Mumma farm from the Mumma Cemetery at the Antietam National Battlefield |
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HILLSIDE SNIPERS at BURNSIDE BRIDGE (96) Candle luminaries on the hill behind Burnside Bridge represent the Confederate snipers ... |
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CANNON & NY MONUMENT (92) A row of field artillery near the New York Monument on the Antietam Battlefield |
MARYLAND MONUMENT from SMOKETOWN ROAD (98) A view of the beautiful Maryland Monument from Smoketown Road ... |
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NEAR BLOODY LANE (92) Many luminaries, trees in silouhette and unusual coloring make this a unique image ... |
SOUTHERN ENCAMPMENT (90) Civil War re-enactors set up a southern encampment and are surrounded by luminaries ... |
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 $28.99 |
 $28.99 |
