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  • 14th North Carolina Company F Living History at the NCWM

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

    Step back in time with the 14th North Carolina, Company F Living History Group at The National Civil War Museum! Saturday, August 1, 2026 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Visit their authentic Civil War encampment on the flat-top behind the Museum, where you can explore camp life, ask questions, and interact with knowledgeable living historians. It's a unique opportunity to experience history firsthand and learn about the daily lives of Civil War soldiers. This outdoor educational program is free to attend. Regular Museum admission applies for those wishing to visit the Museum galleries. We hope you'll join us for a day of living history!

  • Garry Adelman – Lessons in History

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

    Lessons in History with Garry Adelman Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The National Civil War Museum is pleased to welcome renowned Civil War historian, author, and speaker Garry Adelman as part of our popular Lessons in History lecture series. The Civil War in Detail Join the American Battlefield Trust and the Center for Civil War Photography's Garry Adelman for an exploration of the largely unseen buried deep within Civil War photographs. Most of the roughly 10,000 documentary Civil War photographs were recorded on large glass plates and most of these glass plates have survived the ravages of time, These glass plates negatives are at least 30x larger than 35mm negatives and unlike today’s digital cameras, the hi-resolution digital scans of these plates do not substantially pixelate upon zooming in. The details that emerge are as broad and varied as the war itself. From pickle jar labels to battlefield features, pets, games, engineering, technology, celebrity lookalikes, all come into sharper relief. Most moving are the details that reveal humanity among Civil War-era people--young, old, black, white, male female, which can have the unexpected effect of fostering sympathy for, and less judgment of, the people of the […]

  • Retreat from Victory: The Battle of Malvern Hill

    Lessons in History with Frank O'Reilly Retreat from Victory: The Battle of Malvern Hill Saturday, September 12, 2026 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM The National Civil War Museum is pleased to welcome acclaimed historian Frank O'Reilly for a compelling installment of our Lessons in History series. The Battle of Malvern Hill, fought on July 1, 1862, marked the dramatic climax of the Seven Days Battles outside Richmond. Although the Union army occupied an exceptionally strong defensive position and inflicted staggering losses on Confederate forces, it unexpectedly withdrew—turning what could have been a decisive victory into a strategic retreat. In this engaging presentation, O'Reilly explores why the battle was fought despite overwhelming odds, how it shaped the reputations of some of the Civil War's most prominent commanders, and why the devastating Confederate assaults haunted Robert E. Lee's army for the remainder of the war. Discover how one of the Civil War's most misunderstood battles influenced the course of the conflict and the lives of those who fought it. This program is free to attend. Regular Museum admission applies for those wishing to tour the Museum galleries. Following the presentation, Frank O'Reilly will sign copies of his latest book, Retreat from Victory: […]

  • Cocktails & Cannonballs

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

    Registration is now open! Click Here to Register $50/member $75/person $125/couple  Step into history for an unforgettable evening at Cocktails & Cannonballs, The National Civil War Museum’s signature fundraising event! Join us on Friday, September 18, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM for a lively night filled with delicious bites from a selection of local caterers, all set throughout our galleries. Sip, stroll, and savor as you explore the Museum like never before. Put your knowledge to the test with Civil War trivia hosted by the Civil War Breakfast Club, enjoy encounters with reenactors, and browse an exciting silent auction. Take a chance on our crowd-favorite wine pull, try your luck with our raffle for the opportunity to fire a cannon, and new this year - a Blind Book Sale—plus so much more! It’s an evening of history, fun, and fundraising you won’t want to miss—all in support of preserving and sharing the stories of the American Civil War. All proceeds benefit The National Civil War Museum’s educational programs, building fund, and artifact preservation. $50/member $75/person $125/couple - Register here

  • Lessons in History – A Glorious Fate: The Life and Legacy of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw

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

    Lessons in History with Kevin M. Levin A Glorious Fate: The Life and Legacy of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw Saturday, October 17, 2026 11:00 AM–12:00 PM The National Civil War Museum Robert Gould Shaw is best remembered as the heroic young colonel who led the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment—one of the first Black regiments organized in the North during the Civil War—in its famous and ill-fated assault on Confederate Fort Wagner on July 18, 1863. His sacrifice has been commemorated through monuments, books, and the award-winning film Glory. But who was Robert Gould Shaw before he became a Civil War legend? Join acclaimed historian and author Kevin M. Levin for a fascinating presentation based on his new book, A Glorious Fate: The Life and Legacy of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, the first biography of Shaw in a quarter century. Levin takes us beyond the familiar story to explore Shaw's transformation from a privileged and rebellious young man who showed little interest in his parents' abolitionist ideals into an officer confronting the realities of war, race, emancipation, and command. Through Shaw's experiences, Levin also brings renewed attention to the African American soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts—the men whose courage, service, and […]

  • Community Free Day Honoring Veterans

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

    Community Free Day Honoring Veterans Saturday, November 7, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM The National Civil War Museum proudly invites the community to a free day of admission in honor of our nation’s veterans. Join us as we recognize the service and sacrifice of those who have worn the uniform—past and present. Visitors are encouraged to explore the Museum’s galleries, reflecting on the stories of courage, conflict, and commitment that have shaped our nation. Special activities and programming are to be announced. Admission is free for all visitors during this special Community Free Day.

  • “Soldier of the South: Fighting Dick Anderson” Lessons in History

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

    Lessons in History: “Soldier of the South: Fighting Dick Anderson” Saturday, November 14, 2026 | 11:00 AM–12:00 PMLocation: Education Gallery, First FloorAdmission is Free ~ Book signing to follow Join The National Civil War Museum for a Lessons in History presentation on Soldier of the South: Fighting Dick Anderson, the first scholarly cradle-to-grave treatment of Confederate General Richard “Dick” Anderson’s life. Based on the January 2026 release, this program will explore Anderson’s formative years, his Civil War service, and his role as an important division and corps commander in Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. Often overshadowed by more famous contemporaries, Anderson was regarded by Robert E. Lee as a steady and dependable officer—“My brave old general.” This presentation offers a fresh look at Anderson’s successes, failures, and legacy, bringing renewed attention to a soldier whose service and significance have often been overlooked. Admission: This program is free to attend. Regular admission applies for access to the Museum galleries. About the author: Dr. Edward J. Hagerty studied with eminent military historian Russell F. Weigley at Temple University and received the Ph.D. in History in 1993.  He was appointed soon after as the first director of the Civil War Studies Program at […]