Join the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area for a special worldwide Play Music on the Porch Day at the historic Newcomer House on the Antietam National Battlefield on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
The event begins with a signature concert by the Hancock Civil War String Band at 10:30 a.m. and continues through 4:00 p.m. as acoustic musicians of all skill levels are invited to share the universal language of music in a relaxed setting with prepared songs or by jamming with new friends.
The Newcomer House is the only dwelling on the Antietam National Battlefield that witnessed the battle and is regularly open to the public. It serves as an exhibit and visitor center for the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area. Knowledgeable volunteer docents are available to share information about the Newcomer House and offer assistance to visitors to the three-county Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area.
This is the ninth season of Porch Programs at the Newcomer House. Porch Programs feature presentations, demonstrations, pop-up exhibits, interactives and more from April through November.
Play Music on the Porch Day is a worldwide phenomenon that began in 2018 and is celebrated the last Saturday of August each year. Performances can be as simple as sitting on your own front porch and playing or singing along, or large public events.
Play Music on the Porch Day’s website says, “Music goes beyond words. It can transcend the most difficult barriers. It ties us together like a thread through our hearts… Together let us show the world the power that music holds.”
The Newcomer House is located at 18422 Shepherdstown Pike in Keedysville, MD. The house is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends in April, May, October and November and Tuesday-Sunday, June through September. For more information, contact Newcomer House Manager Rachel Nichols at [email protected] or (240) 308-1740.
