Why Gettysburg Matters
2026-04-27 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
Why has Gettysburg always been the Civil War’s most famous battle and how has it shaped American national identity? In this talk, Professor of U.S. Political History Adam I.P. Smith argues that ever since the news of Confederate defeat spread on July 4, 1863, Gettysburg has been imagined as a place of national “rebirth”. In its own way, it has been — and continues to be — as vital to the story of American nationhood as anything that happened in the Revolution.

Adam Smith is the Edward Orsborn Professor of U.S. Political History and Director of the Rothermere American Institute at the University of Oxford. His latest book is “Gettysburg”. Professor Smith is also the host of ‘The Last Best Hope’ podcast.

Members Reception at 5 pm

Opium Slavery with Jonathan S. Jones
2026-05-07 18:30 - 19:30
Join Jonathan S. Jones for a virtual talk on Civil War veterans, opiate addiction, and how its legacy connects to today’s opioid crisis.

During the Civil War, opium and morphine were widely used because they were easy to get, making them a big part of wartime medicine. After the war ended, thousands of sick and injured soldiers became addicted, or as nineteenth-century Americans phrased it, “enslaved” to the drug. Veterans, their families, and communities struggled to deal with the health and social effects that came with addiction.

Medical and government authorities didn’t always respond well, often saying addiction was caused by moral weakness, lack of manliness, or mental problems. Framing addiction as “opium slavery” limited the effectiveness of care and left many veterans to suffer needlessly for decades after the war ended.

Using veterans’ own accounts, along with hospital and asylum records, government reports, newspapers, and advertisements, Jonathan S. Jones brings attention to these stories. In doing so, Jones provides critical historical context for the modern opioid crisis, which bears a tragic resemblance to that of the post–Civil War era.

A Nation in Mourning with Derek D. Maxfield
2026-05-14 18:30 - 20:00 | American Civil War Museum – Appomattox, 159 Horseshoe Rd, Appomattox, Virginia, 24522, United States
Join us for Derek Maxfield’s talk on Victorian America, Civil War disruption, and how it reshaped 19th-century views of death.

By 1860, Victorians had come to dominate the American cultural landscape. The working class sought for most of the century to emulate them, while the wealthy used their advantages to set themselves apart with material goods and selectively followed Victorian rules to appear sophisticated. However, Victorian cultural dominance was severely challenged by the Civil War. The harsh realities of war changed Victorian values and left many searching for ways to cope. In few areas was this more apparent than in attitudes toward death. Victorians who entered the 1860s romanticizing death found themselves appalled by grim depictions of mangled corpses in photographs of the era. Looking for a new direction, they readily embraced the Industrial and Consumer Revolutions in the decades after the war to reshape how death and dying were observed, how corpses were cared for, and how cemetery art memorialized the dead.

Derek Maxfield, formerly an associate professor of history at Genesee Community College, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (2019) and for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities (2013). His research focuses on Victorian deathways and 19th century politics and culture. He has written for Emerging Civil War since 2015 and is the author of Hellmira: The Union’s Most Infamous Civil War Prison Camp – Elmira, NY (2020) and Man of Fire: William Tecumseh Sherman in the Civil War (2023), both published by Savas Beatie.

The Presidential Election of 1864
2026-05-19 17:00 - 19:30
The American Civil War Museum–Appomattox is pleased to host a special program presented by the Appomattox Petersburg Preservation Society on May 19, 2026.

5 PM: ACWM–Appomattox exhibits will be open free of charge for guided tours led by Appomattox Petersburg Preservation Society staff.

6:30 PM: Special Program ‘The Presidential Election of 1864‘

This presentation examines the presidential election of 1864, a contest held under the extraordinary pressures of civil war and one that would profoundly influence the nation’s future. More than a political contest between Abraham Lincoln and George B. McClellan, the election became a referendum on war, peace, emancipation, constitutional liberty, and the meaning of Union itself. Through an analysis of party divisions, wartime dissent, civil liberties, soldier voting, and the broader political climate of the era, this program explores how the election shaped the closing phase of the Civil War and the memory of the figures involved.

The program is led by Shannah B. Winchester, history interpreter specializing in Civil War education and public history at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park. She completed certification from Columbia University on the American Civil War. Her current research focuses on the legacy of General George B. McClellan, and she is writing a book centered on his role and reputation during the events at Harrison’s Landing in 1862.

Out of This Strife Will Come Freedom: Free People of Color & the Fight For Civil Rights in the Civil War Era
2026-05-28 18:00 - 20:00
Free people of color, through their military service and advocacy, used the political and social disruptions brought about by the Civil War to push for a second founding of the nation. Join us as Dr. Warren Eugene Milteer, Jr. shows how free people of color sought to reshape the United States into a place in which all Americans would enjoy freedom and equal access to a broad spectrum of rights, promoting equality and justice as fundamental features of American life during the Civil War era.

With Dr. Warren Eugene Milteer, Jr., Associate Professor of history at the George Washington University.

Member reception at 5pm

Ulysses’s Odyssey with Louis L. Picone
2026-06-11 18:30 - 19:30
Join us as author and historian, Louis L. Picone, uncovers how Grant’s curiosity and humility shone, revealing the man behind the myth.

In May 1877, Ulysses S. Grant, newly departed from two terms in the White House, embarked on an extraordinary three-year journey that defined a pivotal moment in the Gilded Age. Grant’s odyssey spanned continents and led him to uncharted terrain for an American president. He scaled Mount Vesuvius, sailed the Nile, rode elephants in India, and strolled the streets of Sicily.

Louis L. Picone is a best-selling and award-winning author whose works include Grant’s Tomb: The Epic Death of Ulysses S. Grant and the Making of an American Pantheon and The President Is Dead! The Extraordinary Stories of the Presidential Deaths, Final Days, Burials, and Beyond. He serves as chairman of the committee for the Grover Cleveland Presidential Library at President Grover Cleveland’s birthplace in Caldwell, NJ. Picone also holds a master’s degree in history and teaches at William Paterson University

He has lectured extensively on American presidents at institutions including the General Grant National Memorial, James A. Garfield National Historic Site, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and the White House Historical Association. He has been featured on C-SPAN, BBC News, NPR, the Travel Channel, and in Time magazine and the Washington Post.

The Most Gallant Fight of the War: The Battle of High Bridge
2026-06-16 18:30 - 19:30
The American Civil War Museum–Appomattox is pleased to host the Appomattox Petersburg Preservation Society for their lecture, “The Most Gallant Fight of the War: The Battle of High Bridge.”

This lecture explores the clash that occurred on April 6, 1865, as a Federal expeditionary force attempted to burn the vital Appomattox River crossings during Lee’s retreat toward Farmville. Outnumbered but determined, the Federal detachment fought fiercely against Confederate cavalry before being overwhelmed in brutal hand-to-hand combat, leaving nearly the entire Union force killed, wounded, or captured.

Carson Butler directs the American Civil War Museum–Appomattox site. He holds a History degree from Gettysburg College with minors in Civil War–Era Studies and Public History. He has interpreted Civil War history at National Park Service sites including Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Vicksburg National Military Park, and Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. He also worked as a Virginia State Parks Ranger at High Bridge Trail State Park, highlighting the often-forgotten fighting at High Bridge during the Appomattox Campaign. Additionally, he is a published author in the Emerging Civil War series and is an active member of the Appomattox Petersburg Preservation Society.

Hunter’s Raid: The Battle of Lynchburg
2026-06-18 07:00 - 21:00
Join Greg Starbuck, Executive Director of Historic Sandusky, for a screening of the Emmy Award-winning documentary Hunter’s Raid: The Battle for Lynchburg, followed by a Q&A session about the Battle. Mr. Starbuck will also discuss his newest documentary, Lynchburg at War: The Home Front, including filming done at the White House of the Confederacy for a special scene involving Jefferson Davis and the Lynchburg hospitals.

A Slumbering Serpent: George Washington on Slavery and Disunion
2026-06-30 18:00 - 19:00
In this engaging living history program, George Washington (portrayed by Brian Hilton) will reflect on the moral, economic, and political challenges of slavery in his time and the growing divisions threatening the young nation’s unity. The presentation offers a historically grounded and thoughtful exploration of Washington’s evolving conscience and leadership.

Following his remarks, the audience will be invited to engage in a question-and-answer session exploring these complex issues.

Members Reception at 5 pm

Retreat from Victory with Francis Augustín O'Reilly
2026-07-16 18:00 - 19:00
Join author Francis Augustín O’Reilly for a deep dive into the pivotal Battle of Malvern Hill and the complexities of its outcome.

The Battle of Malvern Hill on July 1, 1862, marked the climax of the Seven Days’ Battles around Richmond, Virginia. Fought on the doorstep of the Confederate capital, Malvern Hill marked the first time the full might of General George B. McClellan’s Union Army of the Potomac and General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia met. Despite resulting in a Union victory, the battle provided important advantages for the Confederacy, as McClellan retreated to establish a safe base on the James River.

Francis Augustín O’Reilly has been a professional battlefield guide for 40 years, as well as an award-winning author. He gives tours and lectures on topics of war and leadership all over Virginia and the world. His book, The Fredericksburg Campaign: Winter War on the Rappahannock, was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Book signing at 7 pm.

Members Reception at 5 pm

The Hell-Fired Blues: Virginians in the American Revolution
2026-07-21 18:30 - 19:30
Join historian John C. Settle as he uncovers the lives and service of Virginia’s Continental soldiers.

The American Civil War Museum–Appomattox is pleased to host the Appomattox Petersburg Preservation Society for their lecture, “The Hell-Fired Blues: Virginians in the American Revolution.”

Following the disastrous defeats at Charleston and Waxhaws, the Virginia Continental Line had to be reorganized. Despite the challenges of recruiting, supplying, and properly officering these new battalions, Virginia’s Continental soldiers played an important role in the campaigns in the South through the end of the Revolutionary War. Yet despite their service, they are largely forgotten. Through hundreds of pension applications and letters, John C. Settle has reconstructed the story of not only the battles and generals, but the experiences of the officers and men of the Virginia Continental Line as soldiers and veterans.

John C. Settle currently teaches U.S. history and civics in Powhatan County. His research focuses on the military experiences of Virginians during and after the Revolutionary War. His book, The Virginia Continental Line in the Revolution’s Southern Campaigns, examines the experiences of Virginia Continental soldiers during the later years of the war. Settle has also published articles for the Fluvanna Historical Society and the Journal of the American Revolution.

The Boy Generals with Adolfo Ovies
2026-07-30 18:30 - 19:30
The turbulent events of the closing months of the Civil War serve as a backdrop for the increasingly dysfunctional—and bitter—relationship between George Armstrong Custer and Wesley Merritt.

Join us as Adolfo Ovies concludes The Boy Generals trilogy with a race from the Shenandoah Valley to Appomattox, offering an uncompromising examination of the darker aspects of how the war in the Valley unfolded.

The Boy Generals trilogy springs from his lifelong passion for the Civil War, and for George Custer’s role in it in particular. Ovies serves on the Board of Directors of the Little Big Horn Association, where he champions Custer’s role in the Civil War. He is an active member of the Miami Civil War Round Table and serves as the administrator of the group’s Facebook page.

The Lower Battlefield of Antietam with Bert Dunkerly
2026-08-17 18:00 - 19:00
What happened on Antietam’s forgotten battlefield? Hear historian Bert Dunkerly reveal its hidden history and preservation.

While Antietam remains one of the most famous engagements of the Civil War, the lower end of the battlefield has been largely overlooked, in preservation and in scholarship. This area saw the final Union and Confederate attacks of the day and many details of these actions remain largely unknown. Historian Bert Dunkerly will discuss why this area has been neglected and its recent preservation and public access.

Robert M. Dunkerly is a historian who is active in historic preservation. He has authored seventeen books about the American Revolution, the Civil War and other topics. Dunkerly has served as president of the Richmond Civil War Round Table, taught classes at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture and Central Virginia Community College, and writes for the Emerging Civil War and Revolutionary War blogs. He has visited more than one thousand battlefields worldwide.

Members Reception at 5 pm

Parking:

Please use the gated entrance on Brown’s Island Way to access the parking lot. The gated entrance will remain open from 5:00 pm until 6:20 pm and will be reopened for departure after the program’s completion.

If you need assistance, Guest Services staff may be reached at 804-649-1861 ext.100.

Daniel H. Hill: A Military Life with Chris J. Hartley
2026-08-20 18:30 - 19:30
Join Chris J. Hartley for a compelling military assessment of Daniel Harvey Hill, one of the Confederacy’s most enigmatic figures.

Daniel Harvey Hill was celebrated for his courage on the Civil War battlefield, but was equally known for the controversies and bitter rivalries that defined much of his military career. Join author Chris J. Hartley for a compelling military assessment of one of the Confederacy’s most enigmatic figures.

Chris J. Hartley is an award-winning author, speaker, and battlefield tour guide. His works include The Lost Soldier and Stoneman’s Raid, receiving recognition including the Willie Parker Peace Prize and a Preservation Education and Publication Award from the Historic Salisbury Foundation.

Point Lookout with Robert Crickenberger
2026-09-10 18:30 - 19:30
Join Robert Crickenberger as he shares about Point Lookout, the largest Civil War Prison, and why its history deserves a fresh look.

After it emerged in July 1863, Point Lookout became the largest prisoner of war camp of the Civil War and marked the “second wave” of Union prison camps. By the end of the war, more than 52,000 prisoners had passed through its gates. Join us as Robert Crickenberger shares insights from his groundbreaking study, which reexamines the prison and its place in Civil War history.

Robert E. Crickenberger Jr. has studied Point Lookout for over 48 years and serves as a volunteer and living historian at Point Lookout State Park. He is the President of the Friends of Point Lookout and a Historic Weapons Safety Officer for the Maryland Park Service, earning him the title of Honorary Ranger.

The Veteran Reserve Corps with David A. Welker
2026-10-01 18:30 - 19:30
Join David A. Welker as he brings to light the story of the Veteran Reserve Corps and the wounded soldiers who helped defend the Union.

The Veteran Reserve Corps, originally known as the Union’s Invalid Corps, was created when President Lincoln called 60,000 wounded combat veterans back to service during the war’s darkest days. These men overcame ridicule and public scorn to contribute to Union victory, including their often overlooked role in saving the nation’s capital from Confederate attack in July 1864.

David A. Welker is a professional historian with the US Government and author of three Civil War histories, The Cornfield: Antietam’s Turning Point; Tempest at OxHill: The Battle of Chantilly and A Keystone Rebel: The Diary of Joseph Garey. Welker is also the author of numerous magazine articles and a frequent public speaker on diverse aspects of the war.

2026 Lincoln Prize Lecture
2026-10-15 18:00 - 20:30
The American Civil War Museum is pleased to announce the Annual Lincoln Prize Lecture will be held at the Tredegar site in Richmond, Virginia on October 15th, 2026.

This event is in partnership with Gilder Lehrman Institute for American History. Our partnership with Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is reflective of our continuing commitment to engage in national conversations about the Civil War by presenting the most respected authorities in the field of research and scholarship.

The Gilder Lehrman annual Lincoln Prize award is given to the finest scholarly work in English on Abraham Lincoln, the American Civil War soldier, or the American Civil War era. This year’s recipient is Dr. Richard Carwardine, Distinguished Fellow of the Rothermere American Institute at Oxford, for his book Righteous Strife: How Warring Religious Nationalists Forged Lincoln’s Union.

A two-time recipient of the Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize, Dr. Carwardine is a Welsh-born historian of the United States. He spent over thirty years in the Department of History at Sheffield University before taking up the Rhodes Professorship of American History at Oxford in 2002. He was elected President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford in 2009 and navigated the College towards the 500th anniversary of its founding. He received his first Lincoln Prize in 2004 for his book Lincoln: A Life of Purpose and Power.

The ACWM Lincoln Prize Lecture includes a reception with Dr. Carwardine followed by the lecture and book signing in the Museum.

October 15, 2026

Reception 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Lecture & Book Signing 7:00pm – 8:30pm

480 Tredegar Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219

Early registration is suggested!
