'Seinfeld' and the Civil War? Photo Discovery Explained

In 2012, Ron Baumgarten discovered the location of a series of 1861/1862 photographs of the Army of the Potomac in their winter encampment in Northern Virginia. One of the photos is even proudly displayed in Jerry's apartment in the famous show "Seinfeld." Watch as our very own Garry Adelman makes his first visit to the site formally known as Camp Griffin.

The American Battlefield Trust preserves America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educates the public about what happened there and why it matters. We permanently protect these battlefields for future generations as a lasting and tangible memorial to the brave soldiers who fought in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.

[texmexfla]

Thank you Gary for presenting your research, and the research of others, in such an exciting and enthusiastic manner. The reference to the Seinfeld episode was a real treat. This kind of trivia is always fun. While walking through the subdivision you never mentioned it, but I think all of us can realize, this is an example of one of the reasons the American Battlefield Trust is trying to preserve land.

[crimony]

The headquarters house shown is also known as Salona. It's the place to where Dolly Madison escaped with the painting of George Washington when the British burned the White House during the War of 1812. And why a major street through town is named Dolly Madison Blvd.

[Baseballnfj]

The Civil War book was ALSO in Seinfeld... and Elaine says "600, 000 million people died" and Jerry corrects her. It's absolutely hilarious that he corrects her on casualties.
Also during the Keith Hernandez episode Jerry says "he's a really smart guy too he's a civil war buff".

[kurtholder]

Nothing cooler than matching up old photographs thank God for those boulders everywhere

[dcrambow]

Garry.
We're placing a stone marker on the grave site of Geo. H. Houghton on July 27 and hoping to have period entertainment afterwards. Thanks for your part in the efforts of the Milwaukee CW Roundtable towards this project. We'd love to see you here for the festivities! 😁

[tberkoff]

The McLean Historical Society published information on the location many years before Ron wrote about it on his blog. The tents would be in the backyards of the current houses today. You will notice other rock formations in the famous photo and some of those still exist today in the neighborhood.

[crippledcrow]

I love it when you match up old photos with today's locations. Great video. I'd love to have permission to metal detect those yards.

[davidwilhelm]

Stuff like this is always so intriguing. Love then-and-now videos!

[ehayes]

That is so very interesting, just the stark contrast, walking thru the neighborhood while simultaneously pointing out those particular points of interest! Great job & thanks for doing these👍😃🇺🇸

[williamcanfield]

As a very long time supporter of the Trust (going back to talks with my late friend Ruff Fant) I am always amazed at the scholarship of the Trust. I live about two or three blocks north of Salona on a flat piece of land above the Potomac that was the site of Camp Advance. In late ‘61, a Vermont regiment was ordered to cross Chain Bridge and create a presence in the south bank of the River…Camp Advance. I live about equidistant from the 1861 skirmishes at Lewinsville (now McLean) and Dranesville…both of which featured a young cavalry commander by the name of JEB Stuart. I am blessed to live the history of the CW on a daily basis!

[bobbyblizzard]

Really enjoy seeing these photos, gives great perspective of what you are trying to save from disappearing!

[reddahg]

Everything comes back to a Seinfeld episode! Great job Garry!

[sandramosley]

As the last photo attests, Gary, you’ve always been perfect.

[joshdickey]

Sooo Cool. What a Woven Treasure of History. Thank You

[jamesgiliberto]

Garry your continued educational prowess is once again on display for our benefit thank you very much!

[jamesshave]

Absolutely brilliant. Thank you guys . Jamie England uk 🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🌹

[DA-bplf]

If I owned that property, I would immediately clear out the vegetation, so we could see these wonderful boulders, in all there glory!!

[Resenbrink]

Love it - can never get enough of tracking down the site of historic photos.

[deanjoon]

NICE HISTORY TOUCH!!! Impressive work… Thanks for

[clinthowe]

I remember seeing the photo on Seinfeld, I thought it was a native American camp, Ive see the photo in Ken Burns’s Civil War where the soldier being quoted says, “it begins to look warlike, I think we shall pay our southern brethren a visit on their home territory very soon”