The Civil War Museum

The Civil War Museum The Civil War Museum, opened in 2008, is like no other museum in the country. The Museum's Veterans Memorial Gallery honors all U.S. Free on-site parking. Spam.
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The Civil War Museum focuses on the contributions of the Upper Middle West--Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, and Ohio -- to the Civil War. --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 Museum focuses on the c

ontributions 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. 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. 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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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.

Only a few more weeks to experience Civil War Innovation & Technology before it closes on June 7!Discover how the Civil ...
05/14/2026

Only a few more weeks to experience Civil War Innovation & Technology before it closes on June 7!

Discover how the Civil War transformed medicine, communication, transportation, and warfare through groundbreaking inventions and innovations that helped shape the modern world. From battlefield surgery and anesthesia to ironclads and the telegraph, this exhibition reveals how a time of conflict accelerated technological change in ways still felt today.

Don’t miss your chance to explore this fascinating exhibition at the Civil War Museum.

Happy Mother's Day 🌸
05/10/2026

Happy Mother's Day 🌸

Coming up this Friday, "The Organ of the Soldiers: An Introduction to Civil War Camp Newspapers". “Camp newspapers are a...
05/05/2026

Coming up this Friday, "The Organ of the Soldiers: An Introduction to Civil War Camp Newspapers".

“Camp newspapers are a feature of the war that is worth attention,” reported a St. Louis newspaper in 1862. “The camp paper is the organ of the soldiers, through which they communicate their condition, wants, enjoyments, and local news to the public, and to their distant friends.” Historians have documented more than 200 camp newspapers printed during the Civil War. The majority of these publications were published by printers in Union regiments using confiscated shops, equipment and materials in occupied southern communities. A few were created using portable printing offices. Mr. Freas’s presentation will introduce you to the printers, technology, and content from some of these camp newspapers which, given the lack of military or government censorship, provide honest and intriguing accounts of the soldier experience. An emphasis will be placed on camp newspapers associated with the Upper Middle West.

Friday, May 8 | 12pm
Free to attend!

05/02/2026

Civil War Medical Weekend kicks off today! Come on down and check it out!
Saturday, May 2 | 10am-4pm

Coming up this month at the Civil War Museum: 📆 May 2 & 3  |  Medical Weekend📆 May 8  |  Second Friday Lecture: The Orga...
05/01/2026

Coming up this month at the Civil War Museum:

📆 May 2 & 3 | Medical Weekend
📆 May 8 | Second Friday Lecture: The Organ of the Soldiers
📆 May 15 | SPARK! Civil War Games
📆 May 25 | Museums Closed for Memorial Day

See our full calendar of events here: bit.ly/KenoshaMuseumsCalendar

Coming up this Friday at noon, "Freedom Will Be Theirs by the Sword", presented by Jeff Kluever. On September 29, 1864, ...
04/29/2026

Coming up this Friday at noon, "Freedom Will Be Theirs by the Sword", presented by Jeff Kluever.

On September 29, 1864, fourteen Black men earned the Medal of Honor for their actions at the Battle of New Market Heights outside Richmond, Virginia. Their charge against Confederate fortifications broke the Rebel lines, but left hundreds of their comrades dead and wounded on the field. Join author and historian Jeff Kluever to learn the stories of these former slaves and freemen who fought valiantly for a country that did not yet consider them citizens.

Program starts at noon!

Join the Civil War Museum for our upcoming Museum Book Club as we discuss The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson.T...
04/24/2026

Join the Civil War Museum for our upcoming Museum Book Club as we discuss The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson.

This powerful work explores the Great Migration, the movement of six million Black Americans from the South to the North and West in search of opportunity and a better life. Through the lives of three individuals, Wilkerson brings this pivotal chapter of American history to life with depth and humanity.

It’s a compelling continuation of the stories we tell in the museum, tracing the long arc of American history beyond the Civil War era.

📚 Join the conversation next week!

Step into the realities of Civil War medicine.Join the Civil War Museum for Civil War Medical Weekend with the 17th Corp...
04/23/2026

Step into the realities of Civil War medicine.

Join the Civil War Museum for Civil War Medical Weekend with the 17th Corps Field Hospital—a two-day event exploring how doctors and nurses cared for soldiers during one of the most challenging periods in American history.

🗓 Saturday, May 2 | 10 AM – 4 PM
🗓 Sunday, May 3 | 12 PM – 4 PM
🎟 Free

Throughout the weekend, experience:
• Live surgical demonstrations
• Hundreds of original medical instruments on display
• Insights into diseases that impacted soldiers
• Stories of the women who cared for the wounded and sick

This immersive weekend brings history into focus, offering a deeper understanding of the challenges, innovations, and human stories behind Civil War medicine.

This National Volunteer Week, we’d like to extend a sincere thank you to all of the volunteers who support the Civil War...
04/22/2026

This National Volunteer Week, we’d like to extend a sincere thank you to all of the volunteers who support the Civil War Museum.

Your time, dedication, and willingness to share history with our visitors help create meaningful experiences every day. We’re grateful for all that you do.

Step into history at the Civil War Museum.Explore immersive exhibits, powerful personal stories, and the 360° Seeing the...
04/18/2026

Step into history at the Civil War Museum.

Explore immersive exhibits, powerful personal stories, and the 360° Seeing the Elephant film that brings the Civil War to life. Discover how the experiences of the Upper Midwest shaped—and were shaped by—this defining moment in American history.

Plan your visit and see history from a whole new perspective.

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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