The National Civil War Museum incorporates collections of artifacts, manuscripts, documents, photographs, and other printed matter that exceed 24,000 items. Although many items have been donated to The National Civil War Museum since its opening in 2001, the vast majority of its collections were acquired by the City of Harrisburg between 1994 and 1999. Three-dimensional objects (artifacts) comprise about 3,500 items, of which one-fourth (850 items) are on display in the permanent galleries of the building. The balance is held in secure storage for future exhibits and for scholarly research, the latter reserved for Museum members and by appointment only. Because The National Civil War Museum’s mission encompasses the period from 1850 through 1876, its’ collections vary widely in scope and years of manufacture. For the pre-War period, collections include artifacts that reflect on the nature of sectional controversies and, in particular, slavery. The four actual years of War incorporate items from the civilian as well as the military venues of the conflict. Our emphasis is on “the human side” of the conflict. We exhibit and collect materials on the common soldiers, men and women on the home front, and the experiences of African Americans. The military artifacts encompass all aspects of soldiers’ experiences: from the personal equipage and weaponry of the War, to wounds, disease, prisoner-of-war experiences, and the emotional drain of the conflict. Whenever possible, emphasis has been placed on obtaining artifacts that are identified to specific combatants of the War and, according to availability, the prominent personalities of the war. Post-War artifacts primarily reflect the impact of the War on western expansion.
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