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Juneteenth Community Free Day

The National Civil War Museum 1 Lincoln Circle at Reservoir Park, Harrisburg, PA, United States

The National Civil War Museum is proud to commemorate Juneteenth with a Community Free Day on June 21, 2025, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Guests are invited to explore the Museum free of charge and participate in special programming that highlights the importance of Juneteenth and its legacy of freedom, resilience, and justice. This event offers a day of reflection, learning, and community engagement through music, demonstrations, and living history experiences. Featured Activities: 1:00 – 2:00 PM – Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church Praise Team Choir (Ballroom) 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM – Select Civil War Reenactors throughout the galleries We look forward to seeing you.

In-Person Book Talk – George Graham Vest

The National Civil War Museum 1 Lincoln Circle at Reservoir Park, Harrisburg, PA, United States

We are pleased to offer a book talk and signing on July 19, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Saturday, July 19 at 2:00 pm with author, editor, and publisher,  Stephen M. Vest. Stephen Vest will discuss his book "George Graham Vest", with a book signing immediately following the book talk. The 2024 Lessons in History program is free to the public. Regular museum admission applies for entrance to the museum galleries. About the Book: Although the saying “Dog is man’s best friend,” is well known, the man who originally coined the phrase is less celebrated in modern times. However, in the late 1800s, George Graham Vest was a distinguished attorney and politician widely admired for his skills in oration and debate. George Graham Vest—The Life and Times of Dog’s Best Friend provides a detailed look at Vest, who practiced law in central Missouri, serving in the Missouri House of Representatives, the Confederate Congress, the Confederate Senate, and later the U.S. Senate. He also helped establish Yellowstone National Park. Written by descendant Stephen M. Vest, George Graham Vest is a fitting biography to one of America’s best statesmen, long overdue. About the Author: Stephen M. Vest is the editor and […]

In-person Book Talk ~ The First Day at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863

The National Civil War Museum 1 Lincoln Circle at Reservoir Park, Harrisburg, PA, United States

Fan favorite, James Hessler, joins us on August 23, 2025, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm for a book talk, The First Day at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863, followed by a book signing. About the book: The summer of 1863 started off disastrously for the Army of the Potomac in the Eastern Theater. In early May, Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia defeated and humiliated Major General Joseph Hooker’s army at the Battle of Chancellorsville. While both armies reorganized in the wake of Chancellorsville’s massive losses, Lee then maintained the initiative and launched an invasion of Pennsylvania. Throughout June, Lee’s army advanced deeper into Pennsylvania and Northern efforts to stop his progress were ineffective until Major General George Meade replaced Hooker as commander of the Army of the Potomac. On July 1, 1863, Meade and Lee’s large armies collided outside of the crossroads town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The stakes were never higher for either army as the newly promoted Meade defended Northern soil, while General Lee risked everything by taking the war into enemy territory. The 2025 Lessons in History program is free to the public. Regular museum admission applies for entrance to the museum galleries. About the author: James Hessler […]