The Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, Virginia.

The museum is located in Richmond, Virginia and has a large amount of antiques, papers and weapons from the Confederate States of America. It also includes the White House of the Confederate States of America just a short walk, but not at the actual museum. It is part of the museum though. Eleven rooms have been restored and are open to the public for tours. Jefferson Davis and his family moved into the White House in August of 1861 after the Capital of the Confederacy was moved from Montgomery, Alabama.

There are a variety of items in the museum like old weapons including General JEB Stuart's side arm and the field tent of General Robert E. Lee. I remember when I first saw the tent that I thought that one of my ancestors might have been there receiving orders from General Lee. They often have living history actors that will interact with museum patrons and answer questions people may have about life in that time.

There are a variety of hands on programs. I was able to do a couple of these as are many patrons, but most are designed for students traveling in groups.

African Americans: From Slavery to Emancipation

This is a hands on program that looks at life of the Negro with reproduction artifacts, and photos. Students try to card cotton and being a soldier in the colored regiments of the Union Army. Slave life and work roles are discussed as is King Cotton the Underground Railroad, Civil War Amendments and the Emancipation. I do not the fact that there is not much emphasis on the fact that there were black Confederate troops like the famed Louisiana Native Guard.

Life in the Home Front teaches what the women, children and slaves did while many of the able bodied men were off to war in service of the Confederacy. They let the kids learn the value of inflation by participating in a mock shopping spree. I found this really education for the young students.

The Common Soldier of the Civil War was probably the overall best education module. It used reproduction uniforms, weapons and equipment to show day to day life in the army. You get to try on uniforms and how to load and shoot the weapons used during the time. Most of them were cap and ball guns. Food the soldiers ate and things they carried were also discussed as were the reasons that many Confederate soldiers fought. Contrary to what many think it was not always over slavery. In fact only like 10% of the southerners owned slaves. Most fought for their homes and families and thought the Federal government was reaching too far into peoples lives similar to some of what is going on now.

I did not actually get to see Medical Practices During the Civil War, but heard it was pretty good. It covered medicine and personal grooming of the soldiers. Students act as aids in doing mock amputations and pre-op procedures. The causes behind the epidemic of disease during the war are discussed. The students also learn about the reason for amputations.

The Museum of the Confederacy also gives a chance to attend various lectures on tops related to the great conflict that many call the American Civil War. Topics include things like the life of slaves, comparing the financial and industrial resources of the North and the South and one rather interesting one I found about the legacy of the war on relations between the North and the South. This was by David w. Blight and called "Has the Civil War Memory United or Divided America?"

There is also a store that sells a variety of items from pictures to postcards and books. You can also buy flags as well as some replica weapons and various shirts. I found the prices in the store to be pretty reasonable.

I really enjoyed the trips that I have made here and encourage anyone who is interested in this period of American history to go and visit. It is especially valuable for teachers and there are even programs available for teachers to assist them in teaching history in their classes.

The Museum of the Confederacy is located at 1201 E. Clay Street Richmond, VA 23219. Tickets prices are $12 fro adults, $11 for seniors and $7 for children 7-13. Active military and children under 7 get in free. You can call them at 804-649-1861 and you can email at info@moc.org about group rates and field trips for students. The museum takes about an hour to go through and the white house about fifty minutes.

Since Williamsburg, Virginia is a spot that I like to travel to I usually find a way to go to the Museum of the Confederacy beforehand. As a descendent of both Confederate and Union veterans (most of my family was from the South though) I find it an important part of our nation's history as well as my family history. It is very educational and a must see for anyone interested in this period in American history.

Sources and for further reading.

http://www.moc.org

http://www.scv-kirby-smith.org/Black%20Confederate.htm

http://www.historynet.com/americas-civil-war-louisiana-native-guards.htm/1