Local Tourism Spotlight: National Civil War Museum

To continue our local tourism spotlight posts, today we share with you a recent visit that one of our marketing personnel, Cheryl W., enjoyed at the local Civil War museum.

The National Civil War Museum is the only museum in the United States portraying the entire story of the American Civil War.  Galleries offer equally balanced presentations without bias to the Union or the Confederate causes.            

                                          

Located on top of a hill overlooking the City of Harrisburg, the museum offers spectacular views of the city and the surrounding mountains.  A touching sculpture created by Terry Jones at the entrance of the museum entitled “Moment of Mercy” depicts the selfless act of courage by 19 year old Sergeant Richard Kirkland, a scene that could be found many times throughout the war.

                                                                                                         

Ascending the Grand staircase upon entrance, this self-guided tour begins on the second floor of the museum.  The American struggle is portrayed as a time line, focusing on the four actual years of the war.  The pre-War period includes a collection of artifacts reflecting the evolution of American Slavery.           

                                                          

The Creation of the Confederacy and the first shots fired upon Fort Sumter signal the beginning of the American Civil War.  The Making of the Confederate and Union Armies features uniforms, weapons and other items used by the Artillery, Infantry and Cavalry units as well as the Union Navy.                  

                                                                 

Pictures are on display of the military camp established in Harrisburg by Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtain.  Camp Curtain became one of the North’s most important training centers for volunteers and new recruits.  The camp also served as a supply depot and a center for the sick and wounded.  Governor Curtain is often referred to as “the greatest of the Northern war governors”.  During his term in office, Pennsylvania contributed 427,000 soldiers serving in the war.

Some of the battles depicted are:  Bull Run, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Chancellorsville, Antietam and Gettysburg.  More than 3 million men served in the military during the four years of war; 700,000 died and nearly 400,000 were wounded.  War related deaths from 1861-1865 were greater than the total number of American deaths in all American wars.  Gettysburg was the single bloodiest battle ever in American history.  Out of 170,000 men, there were over 50,000 casualties.                                                                                       

Disease killed more soldiers than battlefield wounds, claiming over 96,000 lives. One in sixty five was killed in battle - One in thirteen died of disease.  Cleanliness and proper sanitation helped reduce sickness.  Various artifacts of personal hygiene can be seen including; soaps, toothpaste, shaving kits and mirrors.  A field hospital is also displayed featuring a surgery.  Surgical instruments, syringes, crutches and artificial limbs are showcased; but the most impressive item on display has to be the hospital wagon - believed to be the last surviving ambulance from the civil war era!                                               

The tour concludes with General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Courthouse and the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theater in Washington.  On display are newspapers, a picture of the funeral procession, a sash from the funeral train and even a piece of the dress Mary Todd Lincoln was wearing that fateful night.  Less than a year later, slavery was abolished by approval of the 13^th Amendment to the Constitution.


Have you enjoyed a visit to the National Civil War Museum?  What are your favorite exhibits at the museum?  If you've not been there, are you planning a visit now that you've read this post?