The Civil War Museum

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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.

🖤 LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP!A little Poe, a little mystery, and a drink to set the mood. 👀Join us TOMORROW, October 14, at ...
10/13/2026

🖤 LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP!

A little Poe, a little mystery, and a drink to set the mood. 👀

Join us TOMORROW, October 14, at the Civil War Museum for Poe and the Peculiar, an evening for guests 21+ featuring a Poe-inspired beverage and Joshua Rex performing The Tell-Tale Heart, The Masque of the Red Death, and The Raven.

Don't let this one disappear into the night. Register now before it's too late!

🎟️ Sign up here: https://bit.ly/4xsRw7h

☕ What did women do during the Civil War?While millions of men took up arms for the Union and Confederacy, women found c...
10/09/2026

☕ What did women do during the Civil War?

While millions of men took up arms for the Union and Confederacy, women found countless ways to contribute to the war effort. Some became nurses or civilians on the home front. Others took on much more unexpected roles, including spies and even disguised soldiers.

In our newest Coffee with the Curator program, "Femme de Force", Kenosha Civil War Museum Educator Emily Mentzel shares the stories of three women who made their mark on Civil War history.

Coffee, fascinating stories, and a little history you might not expect. What’s not to like?

Coffee with the Curator programs offer informal, illustrated presentations led by Museum experts on a variety of topics. They’re perfect for clubs, social groups, or anyone looking for an engaging and personalized learning experience.

☕ Coffee included
🍽️ Catered lunch can also be arranged for your group (lunch not included)

Interested in bringing Coffee with the Curator to your group? Learn more at www.TheCivilWarMuseum.org

History is more than dates and battles. It’s the stories of the people who lived through one of the most defining period...
10/08/2026

History is more than dates and battles. It’s the stories of the people who lived through one of the most defining periods in American history.

At the Civil War Museum, explore artifacts, personal stories, interactive exhibits, and displays that help bring the Civil War era to life and put the experiences of the Upper Middle West into perspective.

Whether you’re a longtime history enthusiast or just curious to learn something new, there’s plenty to discover.

Come see what history has to tell you. 🇺🇸

Join us this Friday for our free lecture, "Minnesota’s Own Civil War: The Dakota Conflict of 1862"The Dakota War of 1862...
10/06/2026

Join us this Friday for our free lecture, "Minnesota’s Own Civil War: The Dakota Conflict of 1862"

The Dakota War of 1862 was the single most important event in Minnesota’s 168-year history. In six tragic weeks, more were killed than all of Minnesota’s Civil War combat deaths, and the western half of the state was largely depopulated. Civilian casualties, adjusted for population, were nearly seven times those of 9-11. Minnesota’s Dakota people were evicted from the state, leaving scars that remain to this day. Learn about the causes, visit the battlefields, and consider the legacy of the Dakota War in a colorful PowerPoint presentation by Stephen Osman.

📆 Friday, October 9 | 12pm | Free

Coming up this month at the Civil War Museum: 10.6  |  McClellan Workshop10.9  |  Second Friday Lecture: Minnesota’s Own...
10/03/2026

Coming up this month at the Civil War Museum:

10.6 | McClellan Workshop
10.9 | Second Friday Lecture: Minnesota’s Own Civil War: The Dakota Conflict of 1862
10.14 | Poe and the Peculiar
10.16 | SPARK! Leaf Prints
10.29 | Museum Book Club

There's something new to see at the Civil War Museum! Stop by the upstairs window gallery to see a month-long pop-up exh...
10/01/2026

There's something new to see at the Civil War Museum! Stop by the upstairs window gallery to see a month-long pop-up exhibit featuring baseball memorabilia, including a Brewers uniform from 1918, when they were one of the original eight franchises of the 1901 American League.

It's a fun little detour from the Museum's usual Civil War-focused collections, and it's only here for a limited time.

🖤 Have you made plans for a peculiar evening at the Civil War Museum?Join us October 14 for Poe and the Peculiar, an eve...
09/29/2026

🖤 Have you made plans for a peculiar evening at the Civil War Museum?

Join us October 14 for Poe and the Peculiar, an evening inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Joshua Rex will bring Poe’s haunting stories to life with readings from The Tell-Tale Heart, The Masque of the Red Death, and The Raven.

Enjoy a Poe-inspired beverage while you settle in for an evening of gothic tales, suspense, and the macabre.

🎟️ This event is for ages 21+.

Don’t wait until the last raven calls. Make plans to join us for a night of Poe and the peculiar.

Learn more or sign up: https://bit.ly/4xsRw7h

🏺 If you wander around the corner on our second level after exiting the elevator, you'll find a display of pottery piece...
09/25/2026

🏺 If you wander around the corner on our second level after exiting the elevator, you'll find a display of pottery pieces by Christian Dauffenbach.

Dauffenbach was working as a potter in Milwaukee when he enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War. After the war, he returned to his craft and went on to establish successful pottery businesses in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

During his career, Dauffenbach produced some of the finest stoneware made in the Upper Midwest.

Next time you're visiting the Civil War Museum, take a look at these beautiful pieces and discover the story behind the potter who created them.

🐎 Ride for the Union: The 8th Illinois Cavalry Discover the stories of the soldiers who served in one of the Union Army'...
09/24/2026

🐎 Ride for the Union: The 8th Illinois Cavalry

Discover the stories of the soldiers who served in one of the Union Army's cavalry regiments.

Featuring artifacts from the Marshall D. Krolick Collection, the exhibition brings the experiences of the 8th Illinois Cavalry to life through uniforms, equipment, personal objects, photographs, and other artifacts connected to their service during the Civil War.

From the battlefield to the cavalry camp, these objects offer a closer look at the people behind the history.

📍 Now on view at the Civil War Museum

Fall has arrived 🍂 🍁
09/22/2026

Fall has arrived 🍂 🍁

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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