Biggest And Best Civil War Museums?

[Dispatch]

Re: Biggest And Best Civil War Museums?

Here my list:
The National Civil War Museum 1 Lincoln Circle At Reservoir Park, Harrisburg, PA (717)260-1861 $9.00 Adults.

National Museum Of Civil War Medicine 48 E. Patrick St, Frederick, MD (301)695-1864 $6.50 Adults.

White Oak Museum 985 White Oak Road, Falmouth, VA (540)371-4234 $4.00 Adults.

Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters 415 N. Braddock Street, Winchester, VA (540)667-3242 $5.00 Adults.

Warren Rifles Confederate Museum 95 Chester St., Front Royal, VA (540)636-6982 $?.

The American Civil War Center 500 Tredegar Street, Richmond, VA (804)780-1865 $8.00 Adults.

National Park Battlefield “Chickamauga” . (Claud E. Fuller Military Gun Collection), TN 'Visitor Center': (423)752-5215/ “Shiloh” TN (731)689-5696 $3.00 Adults / “Antietam” MD (301)432-5124 $4.00 Adults.

Greensboro Historical Museum 130 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC (336)373-2043 $Free.

Atlanta History Center 130 West Paces Ferry Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA (404)814-4000 $16.50 Adults.

National Civil War Museum, 1002 Victory Drive, Columbus, GA (706)327-9798 $6.50 Adults.

Carter House 1140 Columbia Ave Franklin, TN (615)791-1861 $?.

Civil War Exhibit 505 Deaderick St., Nashville, TN (615)741-2692 $Free.

Old Bardstown Village Civil War Museum 301 E. Broadway Bardstown, KY (502)349-0291 $6.00 Museum Only, Adults.

Wilson's Creek Battlefield 6424 W. Farm Road Republic, Missouri (417)732-2662 $5.00 Adults.

Civil War Museum 929 Camp St. New Orleans, LA (504) 523-4522 $?.

Civil War Museum 5400 First Avenue, Kenosha, WI (773)989-4820 $7.00 Adults.

Well... what do yous think?

[LtCol0802]

Re: Biggest And Best Civil War Museums?

Steve, the Confederate Museum in New Orleans is not to be missed! I have been to the MOC in Richmond a few times and I have always thought the one in New Orleans was better. I say that from the standpoint of what is on display. The MOC was always lacking in that regard. You will not be disappointed. kAnd an extra bonus is the D-Day museum across the street!
S/F
LtCol John Owens

[Steve Acker]

Re: Biggest And Best Civil War Museums?

I have to go with Pamplin Park. The museum is an excellent telling of the soldier life, they have a decent amount of original stuff, the park is on the site of the April 2nd,m 6th corps breakthrough and its surrounded by the Petersburg campaign.

Steve Acker

[4VADRUMMER]

Re: Biggest And Best Civil War Museums?

Yes sir the Warren Rifles museum does have the second largest Confederate collection in the world! According to the folks who run the museum, many years ago before there were any Civil War museums they decided that it was important to preserve Confederate history. Therefore they ran ads in local newspapers throughout Virginia asking for donations from Confederate Veterans and their families. Before they knew it they were jam packed with more stuff than they knew what to do with! The Richard Mauzy Blakemore Peter Tait Jacket is worth the trip alone for a uniform nutt like me!

[truyle]

Re: Biggest And Best Civil War Museums?

Even after traveling to most of the fore mentioned museums I have to go along with a couple of earlier posts on Confederate Memorial Hall in New Orleans. My oldest son lives/teaches in New Orleans, so we go down there about every four months. I always make a point to visit CMH and have never been disappointed. The staff is very friendly and has even directed me to where the old Magee and George factory used to be.

Tim Ruyle

[Dispatch]

Re: Biggest And Best Civil War Museums?

I'm going to try to hit'em all if time allows.

[KarinTimour]

Re: Biggest And Best Civil War Museums?

Dear Steve:

To add to your list:

The Chicago History Museum -- Currently they've got three different Lincoln exhibits running. They also own the table upon which the surrender terms were signed, and, if memory serves, the bed upon which Lincoln died.

Virginia Historical Society (Richmond)-- Currently got an exhibit on the beginning of the war, also has what sounds like an impressive collection of Virginia made arms, and a special exhibit "Arming the Confederacy" which claims an extremely large collection of "rifles, carbines, muskets, pistols, dirks, etc."

North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh -- They have the first of three exhibits on NC and the Civil war up. This one covers 1861-1862.

The Confederate Relic Room -- Columbia, South Carolina -- Lots of stuff, knowledgable and welcoming staff.

Confederate Museum - Charleston, SC -- I've not been there myself, but I've heard that they have some unique pieces.

Andersonville Prison Camp -- Andersonville, GA -- The site is haunting and while the museum for me was secondary, it did have some interesting exhibits on the treatment of prisoners of war through history.

One to put on your list, though it's currently closed, is the Civil War and Underground Railroad Museum of Philadelphia. They are in the midst of fundraising, and were to reopen in 2012, but their efforts got a set back when the Governor cut the funding in 2009. Great collection, troubled history, we're hoping that they can reopen at some date to be determined.

Hope that's helpful,
Karin Timour
Period Knitting -- Socks, Sleeping Hats, Balaclavas
Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
Email: Ktimour@aol.com

[fahnenschmied]

Re: Biggest And Best Civil War Museums?

I have to also endorse the White Oak Museum - it is not ruined by the efforts of museum professionals, virtually everything found is on display, seeming every oystershell, even the pine tops used as bedding are preserved, along with sardine cans, hard rubber pipes, and a fragment of a knitted sack coat! Also, not a "museum" but a trip to the Horse Soldier store in Gettysburg is also educational. Lots of stuff to examine up close - and far more of it than my state museum has on display! Last time I was there I could look at Union shell jackets with no glass in between! Lots of knicknacks like writing kits - and lots of guns too. Really better than many museums I've paid to see.

[JCH]

Re: Biggest And Best Civil War Museums?

Another nice thing about the Texas museum in Fort Worth is the collection of ladies period clothing (originals for the most part, not reproductions). It gave my wife a nice respite from me dragging her through (yet) another museum filled with guns, uniforms and flags.

[Bob Hurst]

Re: Biggest And Best Civil War Museums?

I highly recommend Wilson's Creek, near Springfield, MO. This pivotal 1861 battle is also coming up in August as a genuine 150th cycle. The museum is excellent. It was formerly the private Sweeney collection but is now administered by the NPS. http://www.nps.gov/wicr/planyourvisi...war-museum.htm
Bob Hurst
10th Kansas Infantry, USV.