Few man-made structures have a more solemn story to tell than this quiet bridge in the Antietam National Historical Park. My intent was to distinguish Burnside Bridge in a different, more solemn light than we see in the travel brochures; to elevate it visually and emotionally from the quiet creek and the still winter trees, yet retain the simple context in which the bridge has sat for almost 180 years. On an historical note, this little bridge was the center of battle in Sept 1862 in which over 500 Union soldiers were killed while capturing the bridge, allowing the Union 9th Corps to join the Battle of Antietam/Sharpsburg.
