Best museums

[luinrina]

How extensive are the remaining trenches to visit? If one were to visit it would they see trenches as far as the eyes can see and have a good idea of what it was like? Or is really only a small section remaining?

What what I saw, not too many trenches remain, though I did not hike that far as I had only half a day and spent some time in the museums too. The trenches still there, though, did give me an idea what it was like. The park also has a guided tour where they talk about the breakthrough that happened right there. I found it really informative and well done.

Here's the map of Pamplin Park I picked up at the museum when I visited in June 2019:

And here are some pics of the trenches I took:

The park offers a variety of trails to discover the trenches and battlefield: https://pamplinpark.org/things-to-do/walking-trails/

 

[jackt62]

How extensive are the remaining trenches to visit? If one were to visit it would they see trenches as far as the eyes can see and have a good idea of what it was like? Or is really only a small section remaining?

Most of the existing entrenchments are essentially earth mounds, rather than actual trenches. The area is fairly wooded and the extent of erosion varies so you're not going to see as far as the eye sees. But I don't think it really matters. In order to visit the battle site, you have to pay admission to visit the Pamplin Museum, which is 100% worthwhile.

 

[speedylee]

Hi everyone. A few questions!
1) What do you think is the best overall Civil War museum in the country? Most extensive collections, knowledgeable staff, interest exhibits and descriptions, etc?
2) I would imagine a lot of the best museums are down South - if you were more interested in viewing collections of Union items and artifacts, are there any particular museums that stand out in your mind?
3) Geographically speaking - what is the best Civil War museum in the Northeast?
4) What is the best Civil War museum in Washington DC if you have a day to kill there?

The National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg is excellent. Wayne Motts runs that one and he is an excellent historian, just terrific. I've heard him speak and toured with him a few times. They have excellent resources there. We had a tour last summer with the Civil War Institute and I came away very excited. There are some collections not on display but among their holdings which could help my next research project. My understanding is that the NCWM is working on digitizing its printed holdings. So, for Civil War stuff, it's the best in the northeast. Roughly an hour from Gettysburg. I have also seen the American Civil War Museum in Richmond but I don't know about the availability of their holdings.

 

[Hoseman]

The old Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond was awesome. I have not visited it since it moved and was renamed but it should be worth the visit. I agree that Pamplin Park outside of Petersburg is nice and definitely a cool place to check out.

 

[Iowa Miss]

The Civil War Museum at Kenosha, Wis opened in 2008 and features collections pertaining to troops from the upper middle west.
I visited the museum for about 2 hours a few years ago and intend to go back when I have more time. Since I was there on a
Saturday afternoon, the research library was closed. They have accumulated a number of diaries and letters which can be read online.
An index of resources for research is available on the website. On Saturdays they host speakers and discussion groups. Here is the website:

The Civil War Museum | The history, the people and the stories of the Upper Midwest

Learn Civil War history with life-scale, interactive exhibits, and audio and video technology. See the high-tech digital movie experience!

museums.kenosha.org

 

[rebracer]

As others have said Memorial Hall here in New Orleans. There are some very rare and personal artifacts in there and they are lovingly cared for and protected. It is a Confederate Museum and does not pretend to protray itself in any other way. It is an old style traditional museum, sort of a museum of an old museum come to think of it, and thats why I love it and support it, I have even donated items to them. They rely solely on private funding.

 

[Cavalry Charger]

It is a Confederate Museum and does not pretend to protray itself in any other way. It is an old style traditional museum, sort of a museum of an old museum come to think of it, and thats why I love it and support it

That was one of the things I liked most about it. I just wanted to be able to enjoy the artifacts and it absolutely provided that experience. As you say, an old style traditional museum.

 

[Dead Parrott]

Great suggestions!

 

[gary]

I was very impressed with Shiloh, Vicksburg and Chickamauga. The Civil War museum in downtown Indianapolis is quite nice as well.

The downtown museum in Indianapolis is overlooked. Their War Memorial is also worth visiting. It has a villar perosa 9mm (sub)machinegun mounted on a bicycle frame.

 

[Blessmag]

Pea Ridge has a good one for a small battle

 

[Stone in the wall]

VMI Museum and other sites in Lexington.