The National Civil War Museum is dedicated to preserving the United States’ national heritage, exemplified by those who participated in and were affected by the War. Located in Reservoir Park, the museum overlooks Camp Curtin, which was the largest Union training ground during the Civil War. The City of Harrisburg retained UJMN (now part of Strada) to assist with planning the new museum in addition to designing the permanent exhibits, galleries, and gift shop to tell the story of the American Civil war equally weighted from both the Union and Confederate perspectives.
The 25,000-SF facility houses a 12,000+ object collection that tells stories of the “First Shots” at Fort Sumter, a soldier’s life at “Camp Curtin,” armed conflict in “Gettysburg,” the resolution of conflict in the surrender at “Appomattox,” and the death of President Lincoln. Full and miniature scale settings, fiber optic topographic maps, graphic elements, custom casework, first person encounters, and sound and light effects immerse visitors in the unforgettable experience.
