The Civil War Museum

The Civil War Museum This City of Kenosha Museum page is intended to provide information to members of the public. The City is not creating a public forum.
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Any and all questions or comments should be submitted through the Contact page on the Museum website. --The Civil War Museum Mission--
The Civil War Museum collects, preserves and interprets artifacts relating to the social and cultural experiences of the Upper Middle West population impacted by the Civil War. The Civil War Museum, opened in 2008, is like no other museum in the country. The Museum

focuses on the contributions of the Upper Middle West states – specifically, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, and Michigan – to the Civil War. Although no battles were fought in this region, these six states sent over 750,000 men to serve in the Union army and provided much of the foodstuffs and raw materials necessary for the northern states to carry on the war. From the home front, to the railroad and waterways, to the battlefront and back home again, our exhibits show the Civil War through the eyes of soldiers, nurses, spouses, children, clergymen, slaves, tradesmen, and the others who lived it. The Museum uses state-of-the-art technology, life-size dioramas, and engaging exhibits to transport visitors back in history. Experience the battlefront, discover the incredible logistics and resources that were required to mount the war effort, and learn about the deep emotions that tore families apart. The Museum's Veterans Memorial Gallery honors all U.S. veterans and soldiers from the Revolutionary War to present day conflicts. Enjoy the gift shop, changing exhibits, and free family programs and events. Educational classes and workshops are also offered. Facility rental is available. Free on-site parking. Adult and school groups are welcome. Reservations for group visits are required. Group rates do apply. Please see our website for details: (www.thecivilwarmuseum.org)

The Civil War Museum is one of three museums in the Kenosha Museum System, a department of the City of Kenosha, Wisconsin (www.kenosha.org).

--Kenosha Museum System Mission--
To enrich the lives of Kenoshans, guests and visitors through a variety of experiences that educate and stimulate curiosity.

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This City of Kenosha Museum page is intended to provide information to members of the public. Any and all questions or comments should be submitted through the Contact page on the Museum website www.thecivilwarmuseum.org. Public Record Notice
City Networking/ Websites are subject to the Freedom of Information Act and Wisconsin Public Records Law. Any content maintained in a social media format that is related to City business, including a list of subscribers, posted communication, and communication submitted for posting, may be a public record subject to public disclosure.

🇺🇸 Discover the stories of the Civil War at the Civil War Museum!Step into the past and explore the people, places, and ...
08/28/2026

🇺🇸 Discover the stories of the Civil War at the Civil War Museum!

Step into the past and explore the people, places, and experiences that shaped one of the most pivotal periods in American history. From the soldiers who fought on the front lines to the families and communities affected by the war, our galleries bring these stories to life through artifacts, exhibits, and interactive experiences.

And don't forget to explore Riding for the Union: The 8th Illinois Cavalry, our newest exhibition, featuring artifacts from the Marshall D. Krolick Collection.

Plan your visit and discover something new at the Civil War Museum!

Our final Civil War Forum Spotlight is on Dana B. Shoaf. Dana B. Shoaf is the director of interpretation for the Nationa...
08/27/2026

Our final Civil War Forum Spotlight is on Dana B. Shoaf.

Dana B. Shoaf is the director of interpretation for the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. Previously he served as editor-in-chief of HistoryNet, publisher of nine history magazines. He served for nearly two decades as editor of Civil War Times and prior to that, America’s Civil War magazines.

The Annual Great Lakes Civil War Forum takes place on Saturday, September 12.

Register here: https://bit.ly/CWMForum

This Thursday, our next Museum Book Club Meets: Our First Civil War: Patriots and Loyalists in the American Revolution b...
08/25/2026

This Thursday, our next Museum Book Club Meets: Our First Civil War: Patriots and Loyalists in the American Revolution by H.W. Brands

George Washington and Benjamin Franklin were the unlikeliest of rebels. Washington in the 1770s stood at the apex of Virginia society. Franklin was more successful still, having risen from humble origins to world fame. John Adams might have seemed a more obvious candidate for rebellion, being of cantankerous temperament. Even so, he revered the law. Yet all three men became rebels against the British Empire that fostered their success.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/CWMBookClub

🐎 From farm boys and factory workers to seasoned cavalrymen.When the 8th Illinois Cavalry volunteered in 1861, many of i...
08/21/2026

🐎 From farm boys and factory workers to seasoned cavalrymen.

When the 8th Illinois Cavalry volunteered in 1861, many of its soldiers had little to no experience riding or working with horses. After four years of service across Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, they had transformed into one of the Union Army's respected cavalry regiments.

Riding for the Union: The 8th Illinois Cavalry tells their story through artifacts, photographs, firsthand accounts, and the remarkable Marshall D. Krolick Collection.

Come explore the journey of the men who proudly said, “I rode for the Union with the 8th Illinois Cavalry.”

📍 Now on view at the Civil War Museum

📣 This week's Civil War Forum Speaker Spotlight is Maritime Historian Brendon Baillod. Brendon Baillod works as a Senior...
08/20/2026

📣 This week's Civil War Forum Speaker Spotlight is Maritime Historian Brendon Baillod.

Brendon Baillod works as a Senior Software Engineer for Great Lakes Educational Loan Services in Madison, Wisconsin. In his spare time, he researches Great Lakes maritime history with an emphasis on the shipwrecks of Lakes Michigan and Superior. Baillod has been featured on the Discovery Channel, the History Channel’s Deep Sea Detectives series and several regional television programs. His work has been published in several regional historical journals and I have authored two shipwreck nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. Baillod is currently the President of the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association and a Director at Large of the Association for Great Lakes Maritime History who awarded him their 2008 Award for Historic Interpretation. He is also active with the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society, the Great Lakes Historical Society, the Keweenaw County Historical Society and the Wisconsin Maritime Museum.

To register for this year's forum visit our website: https://bit.ly/4zvkRjK

📚 Used Book Sale!Looking to add some history to your bookshelf? Stop by the Civil War Museum for our Used Book Sale, hap...
08/18/2026

📚 Used Book Sale!

Looking to add some history to your bookshelf? Stop by the Civil War Museum for our Used Book Sale, happening September 4–13!

Purchase 1 used book and get 3 used books FREE! 📖

Whether you're a history buff or just looking for your next good read, there are plenty of books to discover.

No other discounts will apply.

📅 September 4–13
📍 Civil War Museum

This week's Civil War Forum Speaker Spotlight: Darryl R. Smith, owner of Walking With History LLC. Darryl Smith’s presen...
08/14/2026

This week's Civil War Forum Speaker Spotlight: Darryl R. Smith, owner of Walking With History LLC.

Darryl Smith’s presentation will discuss John H. Morgan’s Indiana-Ohio Raid from a different perspective – one that shows the raid was not the successful effort that some historians claim it to be – and how it adversely impacted operations in Tennessee. The result was not some grand effort, but instead led to the destruction of a Confederate cavalry division.

Darryl R. Smith, a graduate of Miami University, is the owner of Walking With History LLC, a tour guide service for various Civil War and Ohio Indian War sites. He has spoken to various Civil War Round Tables and led dozens of tours at Civil War sites in Kentucky and southwestern Ohio. Smith is co-founder of the Western Theater of Civil War, where he has written numerous blog posts on a variety of topics. He serves on the board of the Buffington Island Battlefield Preservation Foundation and compiled a guide on the War Department Tablets of Fort Donelson National Battlefield. He resides in Cincinnati with his wife Jennifer.

Our next Museum Book Club session is on Thursday, August 27. Our First Civil War: Patriots and Loyalists in the American...
08/13/2026

Our next Museum Book Club session is on Thursday, August 27.

Our First Civil War: Patriots and Loyalists in the American Revolution by H.W. Brands

George Washington and Benjamin Franklin were the unlikeliest of rebels. Washington in the 1770s stood at the apex of Virginia society. Franklin was more successful still, having risen from humble origins to world fame. John Adams might have seemed a more obvious candidate for rebellion, being of cantankerous temperament. Even so, he revered the law. Yet all three men became rebels against the British Empire that fostered their success.

Coming up this Friday: Civil War Immigrant Soldiers in the Union Army.Scott Norrick’s presentation will cover the key re...
08/11/2026

Coming up this Friday: Civil War Immigrant Soldiers in the Union Army.

Scott Norrick’s presentation will cover the key reasons immigrants came to America just prior to the Civil War. He will also discuss the scope and nationalities of immigrant soldiers in the Union Army as well as explore what motivated so many immigrants to volunteer for the Civil War. He will also delve into specific Upper Midwestern regiments that had large immigrant populations, such as the 32nd, 35th and 61st Indiana and the 23rd and 24th Illinois. Scott will also give some advice on best practices for researching your Union Civil War ancestors.

Friday, August 14 | 12pm | Free

🇺🇸 A reminder for our military families!The Civil War Museum is proud to participate in the Blue Star Museums program, o...
08/07/2026

🇺🇸 A reminder for our military families!

The Civil War Museum is proud to participate in the Blue Star Museums program, offering free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel and up to five family members through Labor Day.

Whether you're exploring the stories of the Civil War, experiencing Seeing the Elephant, or discovering our latest exhibitions, we'd be honored to welcome you.

Address

5400 1st Avenue
Kenosha, WI
53140

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

(262) 653-4141

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