American Civil War Museum

Lunch & Learn: Voices of Abolition
2026-02-02 12:00 - 12:45 (America/New_York)
Part of our Lunch & Learn series! Bring your own lunch (or feel free to grab something to go from our neighbor, Daisy’s) and join us for this noontime talk in the ACWM—Tredegar lobby!

February Topic:

Voices of Abolition with Kelly Hancock

In 1830, the first Negro Convention was held, marking the beginning of Black involvement in the abolition movement. However, the contributions of a few African Americans, with the exception of Frederick Douglass, are widely unknown today. From debates over colonization to moral suasion and outright violence, African Americans were at the forefront of shaping and maintaining the movement. This talk will shed light on several key individuals and their persistent efforts to bring about the end of slavery and achieve equality under the law.

Included with Museum Admission/ Free to Members

Virtual Talk: Boutwell – Radical Republican and Champion of Democracy
2026-01-29 18:30 - 19:30
Don’t miss Dr. Jeffrey Boutwell, descendant of George S. Boutwell, as he uncovers his ancestor’s role in shaping Civil War & Reconstruction

George S. Boutwell of Massachusetts was a key figure in American public life for seven decades. He was a close ally of Presidents Lincoln and Grant in the fight for racial and economic equality during the Civil War and Reconstruction Era, and later led the anti-imperialist opposition to Presidents McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt over the annexation of the Philippines.

Join us as Boutwell’s descendant, Dr. Jeffrey Boutwell, explores the life of this remarkable individual and examines 19th-century politics and the failures of governance during a turbulent and formative period in American history.

Dr. Jeffrey Boutwell is a writer, historian, and public policy specialist with a forty-year career spanning journalism, government, and international scientific cooperation. He has written extensively on nuclear arms control, European politics, and Middle East security. He holds a Ph.D. in political science from MIT and a B.A. in history from Yale, and previously worked at the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His newest book, BOUTWELL: Radical Republican and Champion of Democracy (W.W. Norton, 2025), is a biography of his ancestor George S. Boutwell, a leading figure of the Civil War and Reconstruction eras.

In-Person Book Talk: After the Fire with Nelson Lankford
2026-01-22 18:00 - 19:15
Explore Richmond’s rebirth after the 1865 fire in After the Fire with Dr. Nelson Lankford in this compelling look at a city reshaped by war.

In April 1865, the war that had consumed Richmond for four years ended in a massive fire that nearly destroyed the city. As the smoke cleared, no one knew what kind of society would emerge to replace the world that had been lost. After the Fire offers a wide range of perspectives that bring this vanished moment to life—one marked by hardship, defeat, celebration, false starts, and the rise of Confederate nostalgia and attempts at racial reconciliation. The book traces the struggles of Confederates and Unionists, men and women, and Black and white residents as they fought to shape the postwar future of Virginia’s capital city.

For thirty years, Dr. Nelson D. Lankford edited the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, the quarterly journal of the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. He is the author or editor of eight books, the best known being Richmond Burning: The Last Days of the Confederate Capital. His new book, which he will discuss in this lecture, is its sequel. After the Fire: Richmond in Defeat continues the story of the city and its people in the aftermath of war and devastation.

Dr. Lankford is a native of Hampton, Virginia. He received his B.A. from the University of Richmond and his Ph.D. and MBA from Indiana University Bloomington.

5 PM: Members Reception

6 – 7:15 PM: Lecture followed by Book Signing

Lunch & Learn: Love in Lynchburg—Where North Met South
2026-01-12 12:00 - 12:45
Part of our Lunch & Learn series! Bring your own lunch (or feel free to grab something to go from our neighbor, Daisy’s) and join us for this noontime talk in the ACWM—Tredegar lobby!

January Topic:

The Slaughters of Lynchburg: Where North Met South with Robert Hancock

Mary Harker was a young Quaker girl from Mt. Holly, New Jersey. John Slaughter was a slaveholder living and working in Lynchburg, VA. In 1861 they had been married eight years and had three sons with a fourth child on the way. So how did these two people, with obviously disparate backgrounds, end up together?

John was teased that “the prettiest girl in New Jersey was marrying the ugliest man in Virginia.” Was it some sort of arranged marriage?

How did Mary reconcile her Quaker upbringing with managing a home with five enslaved servants? And would their relationship survive the war when Mary traveled home to her parents and John stayed to defend Lynchburg against an approaching Union army?

Included with Museum Admission/ Free to Members

Mornings at the Museum: Battling Boredom – Soldiers' Games Behind the Lines
2025-12-29 10:00 - 12:00
Step into the everyday lives of Civil War soldiers and discover how they stayed entertained between battles!

When soldiers weren’t fighting, they relied on creativity, camaraderie, and classic games to pass the time – many of which we still play today. Join us to make your own knapsack checkerboard and experience games from the civil war.

Recommended for children!

Mornings at the Museum: Celebrating Christmas in the Civil War
2025-12-22 10:00 - 12:00
Decorations and food are a beloved part of celebrating the holiday season. Come craft your very own Civil War–era Christmas decorations and join us as we explore popular recipes from the Civil War and how civilians and soldiers adapted when ingredients became scarce.

Recommended for children!

Santa Visiting Tredegar!
2025-12-20 10:30 - 14:00
Snap a photo with Santa! Enjoy holiday cheer and be part of this beloved community tradition. Mimosas available for purchase.

Santa will be ready for photos at 11am!

Sponsored by The Wilton Companies

Virtual Talk: Feeding Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia with Michael C. Hardy
2025-12-18 18:30 - 19:30
Food, or the lack of it, played a crucial role in the Civil War, contributing mightily to the success and failure of campaigns and affecting the overall outcome of the conflict. From how soldiers prepared meals to the hunger they often endured, understanding their daily sustenance offers a unique window into their experiences and the broader logistics of the Confederate army. Join us as author and historian Michael C. Hardy explores this often-neglected topic.

After three decades and more than twenty-five books, Michael C. Hardy is still finding unexplored corners of history. His books, articles, and popular blog posts cover the history of people, places, and events across the Southern United States.

Lunch & Learn: The Politics of Freedom and the Battle of Fredericksburg
2025-12-15 12:00 - 12:45
Moved to Dec 15 @ 12 p.m.

RESCHEDULED TO NEXT MONDAY, dECEMBER 15TH, DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Part of our Lunch & Learn series! Bring your own lunch (or feel free to grab something to go from our neighbor, Daisy’s) and join us for this noontime talk in the ACWM—Tredegar lobby!

December Topic:

The Politics of Freedom & the Battle of Fredericksburg with Chuck Young

The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought in December 1862, a time when armies had ended active campaigning and were settling into their camps for the winter. However, President Abraham Lincoln desperately wanted a battlefield victory before the year ended to bolster support for the enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. Having replaced the lackluster and politically motivated General George McClellan at the head of the Army of the Potomac, he was counting on General Ambrose Burnside to provide victory and lend authority to the proclamation. Though inexperienced in overall command, could Burnside deliver?

Included with Museum Admission/ Free to Members

Winter Wander
2025-12-14 12:00 - 16:00
In partnership with the Valentine, we invite you to join us for some holiday cheer on the picturesque block of East Clay Street! Take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage, enjoy a performance and partake in refreshments and family crafts.

This event is free and open to the public!

Tour the historic Court End neighborhood and hop on a free trolley for open houses and other activities at nearby cultural sites including us — the American Civil War Museum’s White House of the Confederacy!

There is also the John Marshall House, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Poe Museum, Monumental Church, and Masons’ Hall!

Christmas Open House at ACWM-Appomattox
2025-12-13 10:00 - 15:00
Sip cider, shop local, meet Civil War Santa, and enjoy live music at ACWM–Appomattox’s Christmas Open House!

Get in some holiday shopping while enjoying hot cider, cookies, and Christmas crafts to keep the kids entertained. Meet and learn about the origins of Civil War Santa, and experience the sights and sounds of a 19th-century Christmas as our reconstructed cabin comes to life with living history interpretations by the Pallas Athena Ladies Aid Society.

Additionally, enjoy live music by Doves and Dragons throughout the day, with special performances by the Appomattox Youth Chorale at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

A big shout-out to all our wonderful participants and vendors joining us for this event:•Refocused•Lil Daisy Soaps•The Festive Circle•Wagon Wheel Farms LLC•Jennings Farm, LLC•The Chaotic Paintbox LLC•The Coffee Nook – Food Truck•Amber McKinney•J Robert Jamerson Memorial Library•Appomattox-Petersburg Preservation Society•Appomattox Court House National Historical Park•Pallas Athena Ladies Aid Society•Appomattox Youth Choral•Jordan Baptist Church

We hope you join us!

(Enjoy 10% off in the gift shop / 20% off for members)

Tredegar Tree Lighting
2025-11-20 17:30 - 19:00
Kick off the holiday season with the official lighting of the Tredegar Tree! 480 Tredegar Street, Richmond VA

Join us at the popular Tredegar Tree Lighting as we officially illuminate the 20-foot-tall tree in the museum lobby! A Richmond holiday favorite, the lighting of the Tredegar Tree features live music by the Joe Sarver Trio and holiday cheer provided by Dogwood & Thistle Wine Company.

This event is family-friendly and free to the public. The Tredegar Tree is decorated with handcrafted, 19th-century–era-style ornaments and hundreds of lights . A great way to start the season!

5:30 PM: Doors open

6:30 PM: Tree lighting

Sponsored by The Wilton Companies

Libby McNamee - The Union Spymistress
2025-11-13 17:30 - 19:00
Step into the world of Civil War espionage with author Libby McNamee!

She will be reading from her book The Union Spymistress, bringing to life the daring adventures of Civil War–era spies. Enjoy a spy-themed scavenger hunt and decoding activity—perfect for all ages to test your skills.

Your ticket also includes pizza and drinks, so come hungry and ready for a night of stories, mystery, and fun!

(Recommended grades 3rd-8th)

Free for members

Almost Famous: The Strange, Spooky & Bizarre Tales of Old City Cemetery
2025-10-30 18:30 - 19:30
There were NUMEROUS ways one could lose their life in the 19th century. At Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg, our favorites are the folks who really went out with a bang. These are the strange, spooky, and downright bizarre tales that never made the history books. The people you’ll meet during this presentation are all folks who lived and died in the margins between standard and spectacular. You’ve never heard of them, but after this, you’ll never forget.Ashleigh Meyer is a public historian and serves as Manager of Historic Research, Marketing, and Storytelling at Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg.

Lecture begins 6:30pm at American Civil War Museum-Appomattox.

Fall Festival at ACWM-Appomattox
2025-10-25 10:00 - 15:00
Celebrate the season at the 4th Annual Fall Festival hosted by the American Civil War Museum – Appomattox! This fun-filled day offers something for the entire family—set against the backdrop of history.

What to Expect:

Live music by Deeply Rooted & Farm Use String Band

Face painting & pumpkin painting

Delicious food available on-site

Historic trades & cannon firing demonstrations

Local vendors, exhibitors, & a silent auction

Train rides provided on the Osborne Express

Children’s crafts and corn husk doll making

Lecture by Patrick Schroeder: The Confederate Cemetery at Appomattox @ 1pm

Bring your friends, pack the car, and enjoy a festive autumn day of music, history, and community fun!

Asia Booth Clarke: Virtual Talk with Lisa Samia
2025-10-23 18:30 - 19:30
The story of Asia Booth Clarke’s life is relatively unknown, but she chronicled the Booth family through her letters, poems, and books. In her memoir about her brother John, Asia condemned his murderous act, but she continued to love him. However, because John made the Booth name infamous, she suffered a lifetime of collateral damage. The five words from Shakespeare that concluded her memoir of her brother, “so runs the world away,” were the bitter fruit of trying to explain what was in her heart, which was and always would be unexplainable.

Lisa G. Samia is an award-winning poet and author specializing in Civil War history. She has served as Artist in Residence with the National Park Service at Gettysburg, Manassas, and Stones River, honored for her poetry exploring the personal narratives of the Civil War. Her acclaimed series The Nameless and the Faceless of the Civil War earned a 2024 nomination from the International Edgar Allan Poe Festival & Awards. Lisa is currently researching the life of Asia Booth Clarke while continuing her work in Civil War poetry.

Lincoln Prize Lecture
2025-10-15 18:00 - 20:00
Registration is OPEN for the ACWM Lincoln Prize Lecture at Tredegar in Richmond, Virginia. This year’s ticket includes a signed copy of the book!

The lecture is presented by the 2025 Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize recipient, and 2025 Pulitzer Prize winner, Dr. Edda Fields-Black for her book Combee (Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom during the Civil War). The evening includes a reception with the speaker, lecture, and audience question and answer segment moderated by prominent historian, Dr. Ed Ayers.

The Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize is awarded annually for the finest scholarly work published in the prior year in English on Abraham Lincoln, the American Civil War soldier, or the American Civil War era, and one that also enhances the general public’s understanding of the Civil War era.

Join us at 6pm for a reception with the speaker, featuring light refreshments and drinks, courtesy of Dogwood & Thistle Wine Company.

6pm – Reception

7pm – Lecture

Members enjoy 25% off—use your exclusive code at checkout.

Sponsored by The Wilton Companies

Check out our videos below with Dr. Edda Fields-Black!

Museum School Day
2025-09-25 11:00 - 15:00
Join us for Museum School Day at the American Civil War Museum – Appomattox! It’s a special event designed for students of all ages and their families to explore Civil War history through engaging, hands-on experiences!

What to Expect:

Interactive Program on 19th-Century Medicine & Surgery – Learn about Civil War-era medical practices and explore the life of a wartime nurse.

Hands-On Artifact Investigation – Examine real artifacts from our handling collection.

Exhibit Exploration & Scavenger Hunt – Dive deeper into our main gallery with a fun, educational scavenger hunt.

Perfect for students of all ages, this immersive day brings history to life through stories, objects, and interactive learning.

What the Irish Taught Civil War Americans
2025-09-24 18:00 - 19:30
Join us as Dr. Aaron Sheehan-Dean delves into his book Fighting With the Past: How Seventeenth-Century History Shaped the American Civil War. In this talk, he will examine how Union and Confederate armies in the Civil War drew on differing interpretations of Irish history, particularly in shaping their views on how the war should end—whether with generosity or punishment.

Dr. Sheehan-Dean is the Fred C. Frey Professor of Southern Studies and Chair of the History Department at Louisiana State University. He specializes in nineteenth-century U.S. history, the Civil War and Reconstruction, and Southern history. He is also the author of the award-winning The Calculus of Violence: How Americans Fought the Civil War, Why Confederates Fought: Family and Nation in Civil War Virginia, and, most recently, Reckoning with Rebellion: War and Sovereignty in the Nineteenth Century.

Member reception is at 5:00pm

Cannons & Cocktails
2025-09-19 17:00 - 19:00
Let’s celebrate a great summer in Appomattox with a cannon salute! Join us for a special event with cannon firing demonstrations, live music by Daniel Kepel (the Singing Violinist) , light snacks, and a taste of 19th century Artillery Punch! Beer, wine, and soda will be available for purchase.

Enjoy a fun-filled Friday night in historic Appomattox at the American Civil War Museum!

Cannons and Cocktails is a 21+ event and proof of age will be required at the door.

An Unholy Traffic: Virtual Talk with Dr. Robert Colby
2025-09-18 18:30 - 19:30
Between Fort Sumter and Appomattox, Confederates bought and sold thousands of men, women, and children through a persistent trade in enslaved people. These transactions had profound impacts on the enslaved, their lives and families, and the ways in which they pursued freedom during the war and shaped the experience of the Civil War and its aftermath for all inhabitants of the wartime South.

Robert Colby is an Assistant Professor of History at the University of Mississippi. His first book, An Unholy Traffic: Slave Trading in the Civil War South, was published in 2024 by Oxford University Press, and was listed as one of the best Civil War books of 2024 by the Civil War Monitor. His research has won awards from the Society of American Historians and the Society of Civil War Historians and has been published in the Journal of the Civil War Era, Journal of the Early Republic, and Slavery & Abolition.

Daily Programs!
2025-09-01 08:00 - 2025-11-30 17:00
Fall season is here and we have special events and guided tours included with museum admission!

Ever wonder what the life of the everyday soldier was like during the Civil War? Why was the Tredegar site so important? Join museum historians as they demonstrate a musket firing and share the incredible history of the iconic Tredegar Ironworks!

Our Special Events included with Admission:

Tredegar History Tours:

Enjoy a guided tour with a museum historian around the former Tredegar Ironworks site.

The Common Soldier program with a musket firing demonstration:

History interpreters present a hands on demonstration of the life of a regular enlisted Civil War soldier.

weekdays

•Tredegar History Tours: 12 PM & 3 PM

Weekends

•Tredegar History Tours: 11 PM & 3 PM

•Common Soldier/ Demo: 12:30 PM

Only a few weeks left — join us before the programs end November 30! We hope to see you at Tredegar this fall.

Wine Down Wednesday
2025-08-27 17:30 - 19:00
One free drink on us! Courtesy of J. Emerson, Inc.

Unwind after a long workday with stunning views of the James River at Wine Down Wednesday! Join us for an evening of relaxation, live music, and light refreshments inside the American Civil War Museum – Tredegar.

Enjoy a drink in hand, great company, and a laid-back atmosphere surrounded by history – all exhibits will be open!

Museum Members receive a complimentary drink ticket — just our way of saying thank you!

What to Expect:

Drinks by J. Emerson, Inc. available for purchase (first drink is free)

Live local music to set the mood

Light refreshments provided

I Spy scavenger hunt to win prizes!

A scenic and historic setting right by the James River

Perfect for history lovers, museum-goers, and anyone in need of a midweek break.

(This is a 21+ event)

Virtual Book Talk
2025-08-21 18:30 - 19:30
While largely overlooked or treated as a footnote to Gen. Jubal A. Early’s raid on Washington in the summer of 1864, the fight at Cool Spring—characterized by one soldier as “a sharp and obstinate affair”—proved critical to Washington’s immediate safety. It became a transformative moment for those who fought along the banks of the Shenandoah River. Join us as Jonathan A. Noyalas analyzes the decisions of leaders on both sides, explores the environment’s impact on the battle, and investigates how the combat impacted the soldiers and their families

Jonathan A. Noyalas is a history professor at Shenandoah University and director of its McCormick Civil War Institute. He is the author or editor of fifteen books. Noyalas is the recipient of numerous awards for his teaching and scholarship including the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia’s Outstanding Faculty Award.

"Yankees In the Hill City" Book Talk at ACWM-Appomattox
2025-08-14 18:00 - 19:30
With three railroads and the James River Canal passing through the city, Lynchburg, Virginia, was a major confederate hospital center and supply hub during the American Civil War. However, a much less explored aspect of the city’s history is its transit prisoner of war camp that was located at the Fair Ground between 1862 to 1865.

Join us on Thursday, August 14th, as Dr. Clifton W. Potter, author and Professor of History, Emeritus from the University of Lynchburg, presents on his most recent book, “Yankees in the Hill City: The Union Prisoner of War Camp in Lynchburg, Virginia, 1862-1865.” The lecture begins at 6:00 pm, followed by a question-and-answer session and book signing by Dr. Potter. Copies of “Yankees in the Hill City” will be available for purchase in the museum shop.

Daily Programs!
2025-08-01 11:00 - 2025-09-02 16:00
Have a blast this summer with special events and guided tours included with museum admission!

Ever wonder what the life of the everyday soldier was like during the Civil War? How do cannons work? Why was the Tredegar site so important during the Civil War? Join museum historians as they demonstrate a musket firing, how cannons work and the incredible history of the iconic Tredegar Ironworks!

Our special daily events:

Tredegar History Tour / daily at 11 am and 3 pm:

Guided tour with a museum historian around the former Tredegar Ironworks site.

The Common Soldier program with musket firing demonstration/ daily at 12:30 pm:

History interpreters present a hands-on demonstration of the life of a regular enlisted Civil War soldier.

Cannon Ball! / Saturdays & Sundays at 2 pm:

History interpreter presentation on the process of loading and firing a cannon.

Don’t worry, though we have authentic cannons, none will be fired during the demonstration!

These programs are included with museum admission – enjoy one or come for all. We hope to see you at Tredegar this summer!

Wine Down Wednesday
2025-07-30 17:30 - 19:00
First drink is on us! Courtesy of Virago Spirits!

Unwind after a long workday with stunning views of the James River at Wine Down Wednesday! Join us for an evening of relaxation, live music, and light refreshments inside the American Civil War Museum – Tredegar.

Enjoy a drink in hand, great company, and a laid-back atmosphere surrounded by history – all exhibits will be open!

Museum Members receive a complimentary drink ticket — just our way of saying thank you!

What to Expect:

Drinks by Virago Spirits: wine, cocktails, & more available for purchase (first drink is free)

Live local music to set the mood

Light refreshments provided

A scenic and historic setting right by the James River

Perfect for history lovers, museum-goers, and anyone in need of a midweek break.

(Mark your calendar: Wine Down Wednesday returns July 30 & August 27!)

(This is a 21+ event)

Mornings at the Museum
2025-07-28 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-14 10:00 - 12:00
Join us Mondays & Wednesdays in July at 10am–12pm for summer fun packed with history, hands-on activities, and stories from the Civil War! $10 PER PERSON – includes program plus full access to all museum exhibits.

Each week has a new theme—from musket blasts and spy codes to Civil War kids and medicine mysteries. Investigate artifacts, tour our galleries, and do unique craft projects!

Week 1: Kaboom! (historical explosions)Start July off with a bang with these engaging programs. Walk with an interpreter to nearby Brown’s Island to learn about the women and girls who worked there during the Civil War and the fateful 1863 explosion. Create a painting with bursts of watercolor. Take a family-friendly tour of our main gallery, A People’s Contest.

Brown’s Island Tour: 10:00, 11:00

Gallery Tour: 10:30, 11:30

Week 2: Children of the Civil WarChildren were not only affected by the Civil War–they were a part of it. Touch artifacts from our handling collection that tell the story of a young soldier. Learn how to tap out a beat, or make your own beat, like a drummer boy. Take a tour highlighting the stories of children in the Civil War in our main gallery, A People’s Contest.

Gallery Tour: 10:30, 11:30

Week 3: Spies of the Civil WarRichmond was an active site for spies during the Civil War. Touch artifacts from our handling collection that tell the story of a Richmond spy. Make a cipher and decode secret messages. Take a family-friendly tour of our main gallery, A People’s Contest.

Gallery Tour: 10:30, 11:30

Week 4: Medicine in the Civil WarParticipate in an interactive program about surgery and medicine during the Civil War. Touch artifacts from our handling collection that tell the story of a Civil War nurse. Take a tour highlighting the stories of children in the Civil War in our main gallery, A People’s Contest.

Gallery Tour: 10:30, 11:30

Week 5: Tredegar History WeekThe American Civil War Museum is built around the ruins of Tredegar Ironworks. Learn more about the site and how it was powered with a guided walking tour. Touch artifacts from our handling collection that tell the story of a Tredegar worker. Create a paper cannon and test your aim.

Tredegar Tour: 10:30, 11:30

Come explore, discover, and have fun with history all July long! 🚂📚

Perfect for grades K–8

Free with membership code — use your code at checkout.

Virtual Book Talk with Bradley Gottfried
2025-07-17 18:30 - 19:30
On August 28, 1862, Major General John Pope’s Army of Virginia clashed with “Stonewall” Jackson at Brawner Farm—setting the stage for a critical moment in Civil War history. Just days later, the arrival of Lt. General James Longstreet changed everything.

Join Dr. Bradley Gottfried for a detailed, map-based exploration of the Battle of Second Bull Run and its dramatic shift in momentum.

About the Author:

Bradley M. Gottfried is a retired college educator and administrator with over 40 years in higher education, including 17 years as a college president. A lifelong Civil War enthusiast from the Philadelphia area, he has authored 19 books on the subject—a number of them focused on Gettysburg and campaign map studies. Now based in the Chambersburg/Gettysburg area, Brad is a licensed battlefield guide at Antietam and a licensed town guide in Gettysburg.
