For immediate release 
Contact:  Lynn Smolizer 717-260-1861 Ext. 1108

Harrisburg, PA (March 19, 2008) - Since its opening seven years ago, The National Civil War Museum has told the most important chapter in America’s history, enlightening more than 450,000 visitors on how the effects of this conflict have shaped our Nation today. 

In recent years, The National Civil War Museum has improved programming and educational opportunities, and has also established a financial position that has never been stronger.  These continued improvements are a direct result of the dedication of 20 very energetic board members teamed with hardworking Museum staff.  With support from more than 45 companies and donations totaling more than $125,000 in 2007, in addition to significant assistance from county and state agencies, the Museum continues to prosper.  The board and staff are also committed to boosting all revenue streams to continue this trend.

The National Civil War Museum is a vital learning institution which sustains that common memory of a history crucial in shaping this Nation.  First and foremost, the Museum strives to be an educational facility dedicated to educating the public, visitors and students in American Civil War history.  In the last year, The National Civil War Museum provided a wide variety of educational programming, including 35 lectures, 30 children’s activities, 5 temporary exhibits, 7 living history encampments, 3 artifact and archive tours, 4 book clubs, 3 community free days and catered to more than 10,000 students. 

In the upcoming year, the Museum will sponsor a chartered bus trip to the Shenandoah Valley, a Community Free Day in July with lots of activities for families, Book Club meetings quarterly, the Blue & Gray Gala, a major fundraiser that will take place on Friday, October 3 and free admission and activities for veterans and active-duty military on Veteran’s Day.  In the fall of this year, the Museum also has important plans underway to begin construction on an enclosed observation desk, thanks to the gracious support of the Kunkel Foundation.

Artifacts and narratives sustained by the Museum underscore a heritage that belongs to every American citizen, while providing documentation of America’s most important period of social development from Civil War to civil rights.  The Museum is also dedicated to the collection and preservation of these artifacts for future generations.  With regularly received donations of historical and educational significance, the already impressive collection of over 20,000 archival items and 4,000 artifacts continues to grow each year.  

The Museum is gaining prominence as a leading national institution.  In order to expand its geographic significance & influence, the Museum recently formed its first Advisory Council, composed of notable historians and related institutions across the country and world, including the Pulitzer-Prize winning author James McPherson, Fort Sumter National Monument and the Imperial War Museum in London.  Additionally, the Museum is currently playing a key role in numerous state and nationwide initiatives, including partnerships with Google Earth, Carnegie Mellon University and Ripple Effects, for the Pennsylvania Civil War Trails program and the related Google Earth web-based ‘mapping’ project and the upcoming Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War (2011 – 2015).  The Museum is also working with the Technology Council of Central PA, Carnegie Mellon University and Harrisburg University to produce cutting-edge Museum displays.

The NCWM's positive impact on economic development and tourism for the City and the region is increasingly apparent.  With approximately 100,000 website hits last year, it is evident that the Museum is increasingly looked to as a global educational authority for American Civil War history and a growing tourist destination.  This is also evidenced by 14,000 out-of-state visitors and 1,000 international visitors from countries such as Australia, China and the United Kingdom to the Museum in the last year.   

The Museum is a vital component of both the local and national community and exists to educate and enrich each of us, which it does on many levels.  While we cannot change the past, it is crucial that we learn from it to never repeat the same mistakes.  The future is malleable for us to take the opportunity to implement lessons learned to improve the lives of all remains a vital learning institution and is a constant reminder of the great sacrifices that it took to make the United States one of the greatest countries in the world. 

The National Civil War Museum is an educational 501(c)(3) institution dedicated to preserving Civil War history, located in Reservoir Park in Harrisburg, PA.  The Museum's seasonal hours of operation are: Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Museum is open 7 days a week April 1 through Labor Day.  Admission to the Museum is $8.00 for adults, $7.00 for seniors, and $6.00 for students.  For more information, please call 717.260.1861, or visit the Museum's website at www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org.  

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