CIVIL WAR MUSEUM
of Philadelphia

  • ">Opening Celebration of

     Opening May 9, 2019

  • ">Opening Celebration of
  • ">Opening Celebration of

    Opening remarks by Jeff Rosen, Mark Bender and Henry Louis Gates

  • ">Opening Celebration of

    Opening remarks by Jeff Rosen, Mark Bender and Henry Louis Gates

  • ">Opening Celebration of

    Civil War Museum of Philadelphia Board Members (L to R) Joseph Coleman (Secretary), James Giles (Vice Chair), Philip Price, Jr., Terry Gillen, Mark Bender (Chair), Jon Sirlin and Oliver Franklin (Chair Emeritus)

  • ">Opening Celebration of
  • ">Opening Celebration of

    slave shackles and mandolin made by a slave

  • ">Opening Celebration of
  • ">Opening Celebration of

    David Bowser's restored portrait of President Abraham Lincoln

  • ">Opening Celebration of

    General Meade's sword, scabbard, spurs and spectacles. General John Reynolds officer's sash

  • ">Opening Celebration of

     Surgeon's kit

  • ">Opening Celebration of
  • ">Opening Celebration of
  • ">Opening Celebration of

     (L to R) Jeff Rosen, Henry Louis Gates and Oliver Franklin

  • ">Opening Celebration of

     Professor Henry Louis Gates

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Chartered in 1888 by the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, the mission of the Civil War Museum of Philadelphia is to interpret the struggle for freedom, equality, and national unity in the mid-19th century; tell the story of the Civil War from the perspectives of the individuals who shaped it; and inspire a renewed dedication to the Nation's founding principles today.

Living our Mission

Celebrating Juneteenth

  • Tuesday, 13 June 2023
  • Posted By: Mark Bender

 Celebrate Juneteenth at our partners.




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A City Divided: The Civil War, Philadelphia, and the Union League

  • Monday, 6 March 2023
  • Posted By: Mark Bender

 A City Divided: The Civil War, Philadelphia, and the Union League is currently on display in The Sir John Templeton Heritage Center through June 2024. The Heritage Center is home to the Legacy Foundation; the space is a celebration of the rich history, heritage and traditions of The Union League of…

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Slavery and Liberty at America’s Founding

  • Thursday, 9 February 2023
  • Posted By: Mark Bender

In honor of Black History Month, on February 28 at 7:00pm, the Civil War Museum of Philadelphia proudly partners with the National Constitution Center and with the generous support of  Citizens in presenting:  Historians Harold Holzer, author of several books on President Abraham Lincoln, including Lincoln: How Abraham Lincoln Ended Slavery in…

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"Vigilance: The Life of William Still, Father of the Underground Railroad"

  • Monday, 30 January 2023
  • Posted By: Mark Bender

The Civil War Museum of Philadelphia proudly sponsors on Thursday, January 26, LancasterHistory's first Regional History Colloquium of 2023 featuring Towson University’s Dr. Andrew Diemer discussing his latest book, Vigilance: The Life of William Still, Father of the Underground Railroad.

William Still was born free in New Jersey, the youngest son…

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Constitution Center's bold new exhibit takes on the Civil War and Reconstruction

  • Tuesday, 14 May 2019
  • Posted By: Mark Bender
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Civil War Museum of Philadelphia Announces Historic Agreement to Showcase World Class Collection

  • Sunday, 5 June 2016
  • Posted By: Dianne DiBerardo
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Recent Conservation Work


 Items from the Collection

    • Lincoln portrait

    • This portrait of Abraham Lincoln, by David Bustill Bowser, will receive conservation treatment (funded by a Save America's Treasures grant)

    • The armed slave (Spang)

    • The Armed Slave, by William Spang, currently on loan to the African American Museum in Philadelphia.

    • 863851
    • 86203 4
    • 8633
    • 862420
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    • bullet struck pocket watch of sgt john o foering 86 20 3 1

    • Bullet-struck pocket watch of Sgt. John O. Foering, 28th Pennsylvania Infantry

    • bullet struck pocket watch of sgt john o foering 86 20 3 2

    • Bullet-struck pocket watch of Sgt. John O. Foering, 28th Pennsylvania Infantry

    • bullet struck pocket watch of sgt john o foering 86 20 3 3

    • Bullet-struck pocket watch of Sgt. John O. Foering, 28th Pennsylvania Infantry

    • bullet struck pocket watch of sgt john o foering 86 20 3 4

    • Bullet-struck pocket watch of Sgt. John O. Foering, 28th Pennsylvania Infantry

    • bullet struck pocket watch of sgt john o foering 86 20 3 5

    • Bullet-struck pocket watch of Sgt. John O. Foering, 28th Pennsylvania Infantry

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    • calfskin knapsack of pvt john s greer (86.12.44)

    • Calfskin knapsack of Pvt. John S. Greer, Co. C, 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters

    • calfskin knapsack of pvt john s greer (86.12.44.2)

    • Interior of calfskin knapsack of Pvt. John S. Greer, Co. C, 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters

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CIVIL WAR MUSEUM
of Philadelphia