Revisiting America’s History: The National Civil War Museum

The National Civil War, a Smithsonian affiliate, is located in Pennsylvania’s capital Harrisburg. (Courtesy of The National Civil War Museum)

Summer’s here, and for most families, it’s the time of the year to head to the beach or to the theme parks. Should you happen to be near a chocolate-themed amusement park somewhere in Pennsylvania and you see that the chocolate bar you are holding in your hand is fast melting, then it’s probably time to beat a hasty retreat into the cool, air-conditioned rooms of the National Civil War Museum, located just 13 miles away.

Founded in 2001 and located within Harrisburg’s Reservoir Park, the 66,000-square-foot National Civil War Museum has exhibit rooms, a mini-theater, a lecture gallery, a ballroom, and, of course, a gift shop.

The building sits on top of a hill, with great vistas of downtown Harrisburg, and you will find a sculpture in the middle of the rotunda called “Moment of Mercy.” It depicts a scene from the Battle of Fredericksburg, where a Confederate sergeant offers water to wounded Union soldiers. The officer didn’t survive the war, but his deed is memorialized by local sculptor Terry Jones. It is a poignant moment showing that humanity trumps the horridness caused by war, and despite being on opposite sides, man still has empathy for his fellow men.

The sculpture sets the tone for what to expect as you enter the museum’s glass doors. After getting your tickets at the gift shop, make your way to the second-floor galleries first, where the exhibits are presented in a clear timeline to show the causes and events that led to the Civil War.

A sculpture of a Confederate soldier giving water to a Union soldier, in “Moment of Mercy” by Terry Jones. (Courtesy The National Civil War Museum)

‘A House Divided’

The first exhibit deals with the issues dividing the North and the South. President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed in 1858: “‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.’ I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free.”

The floorplan then takes museum-goers through the exhibits on slavery, after which, visitors will be greeted by a massive photo background of Fort Sumter, where the first shots were fired. These shots officially launched the country into a civil war that lasted four years.

On the ground floor, visitors young and old will delight in this interactive display featuring actors portraying President Abraham Lincoln and other notable people of the day. (Courtesy of The National Civil War Museum)

President Abraham Lincoln won the 1860 presidential election, inheriting the problems left by his predecessor, which led to the Civil War. (Courtesy of Lynn Topel)

The ‘Making of Armies’

After the start of the war, both the Union and Confederate sides scrambled to prepare for the logistics of war and train soldiers. The next two exhibits discuss in great detail the uniforms worn, the arms used, and the equipment and training required to make their men battle-ready—on both sides.

Because the Civil War was one of great magnitude, it was a war of many firsts. In this section, visitors will learn how corps badges were first used. To keep track of the soldiers under their command, the Union generals would tack a different-shaped or different-colored piece of cloth onto the hats to show which men belonged to which division. Another first is the use of standard sizes for ready-made clothing. The government had to approximate measurements to send to uniform manufacturers, who filled the orders in bulk.

Campaigns and Battles

Encompassing the bulk of the exhibits are the many campaigns and battles fought, ending with the Battle of Appomattox. Since the museum is located in Harrisburg, Camp Curtin cannot be overlooked, as it was also the largest Union Camp of the Civil War.

Rare artifacts, preserved records, and short films provide the authenticity and voice of Union and Confederate soldiers caught in the middle of a war that pitted family members against each other and countrymen against one another. Detailed dioramas present battle formations in miniature scale and provide a bird’s eye view of certain campaigns, with life-sized dioramas showcasing wax figures positioned to recreate camp life or to depict a field hospital.

The National Civil War Museum showcases the many arms used on both sides of the war. (Courtesy of Lynn Topel)

The museum offers a chronological display of the battle campaigns that took place during the Civil War. (Courtesy of The National Civil War Museum)

Breaks in Between

To break up the tediousness that can come with wars, soldiers often had a chance to amuse themselves through games and music. In a similar vein, “lighthearted” displays are inserted between exhibits. One example is a feature on Civil War music, where visitors can hear samples of spirituals, bugle calls, and other inspirational tunes.

Baseball also gained popularity during and after the war. Before the war, the game was already popular in the northeastern states. But as soldiers played baseball to take their minds off the war, it drew more fans. As the northern campaigns made their way down south and when soldiers moved west after the war, they took the game with them, which helped solidify baseball’s crown as America’s national pastime. Visitors may find replicas of bats and balls used back then, and, for certain special days, the museum also brings out their collection of replica Civil War toys for children to get a more hands-on experience.

The ground floor exhibits are mostly dedicated to President Abraham Lincoln’s legacy. Check out the interactive exhibit, which features a Q&A with famous personas such as President Abraham Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth, where visitors can ask planned questions such as strategies used by the former and “Why did you do it?” of the latter. As a question is chosen, a video response is presented by actors, creating the illusion of a dynamic interaction. Young visitors will love this area.

The National Civil War Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate, is located in Pennsylvania’s capital, Harrisburg. (Courtesy of The National Civil War Museum)

Before You Go

As you start to plan for your visit, here are some handy tips to make it more enjoyable.

The museum has an entrance fee. But on some Saturdays, it holds community days. Sign up for the newsletters to stay abreast of these admission-free days. Once you sign up, you will also be informed of special events like book launches and talks, which are often free to attend in person or via video conferences.

There are no on-site cafes. You won’t lose your parking spot if you decide to drive to the nearest fast-food restaurant and back; the museum offers ample free parking.

Though other cities and states have museums dedicated to some aspect of the Civil War, the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg offers the Civil War story in its entirety. Custodian to more than 4,400 artifacts, with only less than 1,000 on display at a time, it’s one museum that visitors will want to visit over and over again. It is the destination for a comprehensive and balanced view of the “War Between the States.”

For more information, visit NationalCivilWarMuseum.org