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Alexander Gardner photograph of the Tredegar Iron Works taken after the fall of Richmond in April 1865. The American Civil War museum center will be located on the site. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Civil War museums joining forces to create new center in Va.

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Alexander Gardner photograph of the Tredegar Iron Works taken after the fall of Richmond in April 1865. The American Civil War museum center will be located on the site. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Alexander Gardner photograph of the Tredegar Iron Works taken after the fall of Richmond in April 1865. The American Civil War museum center will be located on the site. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

RICHMOND, Va. – The new American Civil War Museum will be headquartered on the historic site of the Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond, where a new museum building will combine the best aspects of the Museum of the Confederacy and the American Civil War Center.

The goal of the American Civil War Museum is to help a diverse national and international audience learn American Civil War history in all its breadth and scope. Using dynamic and interactive exhibits, engaging educational programs and historical research, the museum will tell a multitude of military, political and civilian stories of the people of the time. It will also ensure and strengthen the preservation of an unparalleled collection of Civil War artifacts.

From late October through December, museum leaders conducted market research to gather public input on the new institution and its name. This research included telephone and focus group interviews, and email surveys. Participants in the market study ranged from people representing heritage groups and Civil War roundtables, to museum supporters and members of the general public.

“One of the most compelling aspects of the market research was the fact that regardless of their backgrounds, the participants generally came to the same conclusions regarding the name,” said museum co-CEO Christy Coleman. “In addition, each expressed an overwhelming desire that the stories and exhibitions be comprehensive and provide new insights into the conflict.”

“The market research was a great experience,” said Waite Rawls, museum co-CEO. “Time and again the participants told us, ‘Tell people what it is. Don’t mince words or be cute.’ I think we have accomplished just that.”

Based on the market research and further discussion among museum leaders, the American Civil War Museum was chosen as the name of the new institution. The title was presented to, and accepted by, members of the executive committee at its Dec. 19 meeting, and by the full board at its Jan. 3 meeting.

Along with the new name, branding for the new institution will include a tagline reading, “Confederacy, Union, Freedom.”

“The Museum of the Confederacy has an international reputation for its unparalleled collection of Civil War artifacts,” Edward L. Ayers, chairman of the new board, said. “The American Civil War Center has established itself as a leader in telling the Civil War story in all its breadth and scope. The tagline highlights the comprehensive nature of the story and recognizes the traditions and legacy of both institutions.”

Selecting the new name is among the first steps of what will be a long process that will include site and exhibit planning, design and construction, development of new marketing and branding strategies, fundraising and much more. The project is projected to take up to two years to complete and cost $30 million, of which $20 million has already been committed.

The American Civil War Museum comprises the Museum and White House of the Confederacy, the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar, and the Museum of the Confederacy – Appomattox. When completed in early 2016, the museum will be located at Historic Tredegar, an 8.9-acre National Historic Landmark that was one of the most important industrial sites during the Civil War. The National Park Service operates the Richmond Battlefield Park Visitor Center in the restored pattern building, one of five surviving industrial buildings on the site.

ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

Alexander Gardner photograph of the Tredegar Iron Works taken after the fall of Richmond in April 1865. The American Civil War museum center will be located on the site. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Alexander Gardner photograph of the Tredegar Iron Works taken after the fall of Richmond in April 1865. The American Civil War museum center will be located on the site. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.