Appomattox Mission in Action Museum News

Cannon Restoration Project at ACWM-Appomattox


This restoration story exemplifies how your support enables the American Civil War Museum to carry out its mission to explore, inspire, and promote public understanding of the Civil War. Support from our donors allows us to continue expanding our research and providing educational opportunities such as hands-on demonstrations and learning opportunities.


The American Civil War Museum – Appomattox welcomed hundreds of visitors to the site for the Commemoration of the Surrender and Freedom Day weekend, April 8th and 9th, 2023. Living history interpreters, musket firing demonstrations, hearth cooking in the cabin, lectures, and special programs provided a variety of engaging activities for our visitors to enjoy.

Certainly, a highlight of the weekend was the firing of a newly restored cannon. Trained ACWM staff provided incredibly informative programs and cannon-firing demonstrations throughout the weekend. Cast by the Steen Cannon and Ordnance Works in Ashland, Kentucky, the cannon is known as the 12-pounder, named for the weight of its shot. Having been at the ACWM Tredegar for years, it was relocated to ACWM-Appomattox this past winter.

ACWM Director of Visitor Engagement Bob Sayre, along with ACWM-Appomattox Facilities Specialist, Will Thomas, began to prepare for the cannon’s on-site restoration well in advance of taking delivery of the piece, meticulously researching the aesthetics of mid-19th century artillery. Using an 1861 Instruction for Field Artillery manual and the help of Andrew De Lisle, a master wheelwright in Providence Forge, Virginia, the process of color mixing began, as did the restoration of the wheels.

The 1861 manual stipulated that all the ironwork be coated in a simple flat black called Lampblack and all the wooden pieces—the caisson, carriage, and limber—be a green color called Liquid Olive. In the 19th century, this Olive paint would have been made in two parts: First, a thick Olive Paste would be made, essentially a paint concentrate. The next step was to mix the paste with oils and drying agents to create the desired Liquid Olive Color

Despite the specificity of the recipe, this olive color was by no means standard. The yellow ochre used to make the Liquid Olive could vary quite a bit. Derived from clay, ochre is a family of earth pigments ranging from yellow to red to brown and has dozens of variations depending on the amount of oxidized iron in the clay. Even within the yellow ochre family there is a spectrum of color.

The clay sourced around Richmond had a higher iron content which meant a yellow ochre that had a reddish quality to it. This created a darker, more subdued color than the olive drab we are used to today, especially when laid over the lead-gray color of the primer. Through the research of artillery that still has some of the original colors, a proprietary mix of maroon, deep gold, and black resulted in the final paint coating for the ACWM-Appomattox cannon. We plan to utilize the cannon through educational demonstrations and programs. We would like to express our gratitude to a generous donor who has provided the necessary funding for the restoration project.

Contributions to the American Civil War Museum allow us to expand our research and provide educational opportunities, such as hands-on demonstrations and learning opportunities. As we continue our mission to explore, inspire, and promote public understanding of the Civil War, your involvement is invaluable and appreciated.


Further Your Support


Make a Donation

Online or Mail Your Gift

To send in a donation by mail, download a donation form here, and send to The American Civil War Museum, 490 Tredegar Street, Richmond, VA 23219 – Attn: Development.


Other Ways to Give

Gift of Securities

Gifts of assets, rather than cash, can be made to The American Civil War Museum and prove tax-wise to you. Giving appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual funds can provide special tax advantages, including avoidance of capital gains tax and, in most instances, a charitable deduction for the full fair market value. Discuss the advantages of a gift of securities with your tax advisor.

Davenport & Co. LLC

901 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-697-2956 | Fax: 804-655-6809
Pershing
DTC #0443
Account # DA4004820
Account name: The American Civil War Museum at Historic Tredegar

Planned Giving

Planned gifts provide for the future of the American Civil War Museum. These commitments ensure our mission to explore, inspire, and promote the public’s understanding of the Civil War and establish your legacy.

For more information about planned giving or to notify the Museum of a planned gift, please get in touch with ACWM Development at 804-649-1861 extension 144.

Corporations and Foundations

Support from corporations and foundations ensures the museum engages with the larger working community today and that our work continues. If you are a corporation looking to sponsor the museum’s work or a foundation who is interested in how the American Civil War Museum is changing the narrative then please get in touch.

For more information about partnering or making an investment, please contact Jake Huff, or Manager of Donor Relations at 804-649-1861 ext. 144 or jhuff@acwm.org.

Donating an Artifact

We have a rich collection of military and civilian artifacts due to donations over the last 120 years, mainly from Civil War veterans and/or their immediate family members. If you want to be part of that legacy by donating an item to the American Civil War Museum, please get in touch with our collections department at rhancock@acwm.org.