National War Correspondents Memorial

The National War Correspondents Memorial is a limestone structure standing about 50 feet (15 m) high, featuring three Roman arches, a square crenellated tower, and terra cotta horse heads at the top. The building combines classical design elements within a wooded setting at Gathland State Park near Burkittsville.

The memorial was built in 1896 by George Alfred Townsend to honor journalists who documented the American Civil War. It emerged during an era when war correspondents' contributions to public understanding of conflicts gained wider recognition.

The monument displays inscribed tablets honoring 157 war correspondents and artists whose work shaped how the public understood military conflicts. These names recognize journalism as a vital witness to history.

The memorial sits within Gathland State Park and is reached by well-kept pathways that offer straightforward access for visitors. National Park Service information resources on-site help explain the site's background and meaning.

Terra cotta busts on the arch sides carry symbolic inscriptions: one shows 'speed' for electricity and another 'heed' for poetry. These symbols represent different aspects of war reporting through artistic representation.