Texas Civil War Museum
Dani C.
Sep 15, 2024
I really hate to hear this museum is closing. It is such an amazing find. We spent HOURS here and it had a ton of people visiting it. It was definitely my favorite part of our trip to the area! I couldn't believe all the artifacts it possessed. Texas played a significant role in the American Civil War Secession: Texas joined the Confederacy in early 1861, a few weeks before the first shots were fired at Fort Sumter. Texas declared its secession from the Union on February 1, 1861, and joined the Confederate States on March 2, 1861, after it had replaced its governor, Sam Houston, who had refused to take an oath of allegiance to the Confederacy. Military: Nearly 90,000 Texans served in the military. Leaders of the Texas forces included legendary figures John Bell Hood, Albert Sidney Johnston, John Bankhead Magruder, Patrick Cleburne, and Ben McCulloch. Battles: Texas forces fought in many major battles, including Gettysburg, Antietam, Second Manassas, Wilson's Creek, The Wilderness, Vicksburg, Corinth, Shiloh, Chickamauga, Glorieta Pass, Pea Ridge, Gaine's Mill, Franklin, and Mansfield. Texas also defended its own coastline, repulsing Union invaders at Brownsville, Sabine Pass, Galveston, Corpus Christi, and Laredo. Blockades: The Union blockaded Galveston, Houston, and other ports, making it difficult for farmers to export their crops. Closing: The surrender of the Trans-Mississippi Department of the Confederacy at Galveston on June 2, 1865 was, as Capt. Benjamin Franklin Sands of the United States Navy noted, "the closing act of the Great Rebellion." Just a few weeks later on June 19, Gen. Gordon Granger, commander of U.S. troops in Texas, arrived in Galveston and ended slavery in Texas by issuing an order that the Emancipation Proclamation was in effect in Texas later to become known as Juneteenth.
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Kristina H.
Sep 14, 2023
I was in tears seeing and reading the stories behind the uniforms and memorabilia! This museum hit me HARD and I wasn't even expecting it. It is so extraordinary how many personal pieces and artillery/weapons are on display for us to experience. The very last exhibit included Victorian dresses on display! So fascinating to see in detail the stitching and different types of fabric that these dresses boasted. It also detailed the different bustles and corsets women used. Regarding the Museum, there is ample parking and restrooms are located near the entrance. The gift shop has cool items that are reasonably priced. It is unfortunate they will be closing in December 2023 though.
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Blessing B.
Oct 1, 2023
I've been wanting to check this museum and was pleased to be able to do so this week. There are plenty of places to park and a small monument and tombstones dedicated to those who died during the war. The civil war museum was rich in history about the confederacy and the union. They had a scavenger hunt for the kids, a couple of videos discussing gun procedures back then. There were numerous artifacts displayed behind glass paired with descriptions of the artifacts. They had buttons in the first room that you could press to hear various sounds such as battlefield songs back then. They had replicas of cannons inside and outside of the civil war museum. My favorite part of the museum was the room dedicated to dresses from the Victorian age which were beautiful. The dresses were in glass displays marked with different time periods. On the walls and inside the glass displays were information about the attire and influences of the styles. The descriptions also explored the purpose behind the colors and material of the clothes. They have a gift shop filled with souvenirs such as books, candy, t-shirts etc. The museum did a great job of preserving the original artifacts, which was a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately the civil war museum will close its doors in December, they have a donation box as well by the register. I picked up a couple of souvenirs and was greeted by Dennis at the check out station, who offered more insight into the war between the union and confederacy.
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Phillip E. S.
Oct 19, 2023
I have been here several times, both alone and with family. Saw on the website the museum would be closing permanently this upcoming December. To be honest, I was furious at the news and figured it was the fault of the Trump Deranged Liberal Leftist who can't stand some of the more disagreeable aspects of our history. It's there...live with it! Thankfully the staff on duty informed the board of directors had a change of heart and would keep the place open. Of course there will be a price of admission increase, along with a hike in price of gift shop items, to help offset expenses. Completely understand and willing to pay more to help keep this place open. As with the last time I visited, I'm not sure there were any new exhibits, but I did enjoy the movie and the installations nonetheless. Apparently a TCU arts class had a field project there today. What fun to see a bunch of kids taking in history. Anyway, come support the Civil War Museum. I plan on volunteering in the immediate future. See you soon!
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Blake H.
Jun 17, 2023
This place is great and everyone should come here (and ASAP as I here it's shutting down in December)! I'm surprised more schools don't take field trips here but they should! This really is one of those places with something for everyone! If you like guns, cannons, knives and swords they got em! If you like dresses, shirts, skirts and dollhouses they have those too! Lots of cool artifacts with lots of history... info about war, early America, Texas and all sorts of stuff you should know... interesting, sad, comical and sobering stuff all in one big, awesome place run by super nice and knowledgeable people! They have several good videos and a cool gift shop / book store too! $7 for adults and $4 for kids age 6+ is a steal in my opinion!
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Jennifer U.
Mar 21, 2022
Enter through the gift shop (make sure you buy some reasonably priced souvenirs when you finish with the museum), there is a video in the theater on the left and museum entrance on the right. Lots of amazing artifacts from both the Confederate and Union side. Items in great condition and a variety of flags. A great museum to check out.
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Christopher H.
Jun 11, 2021
Forth Worth (Tarrant County), Texas.Timestamp: April 2021.Location: East Jim Wright Fwy between Silver Creek & Glenn.Parking: Large private lot.Hours: Closed Sunday to Weds. Thurs - Sat 10a-5p.Cost: $5Handicap: Handicap friendly. Flat, small and plenty spaces to navigate with a chair.Museum Type: Civil War History. Confederacy & Union are on opposite sides of the hall making things easier to distinguish.Notable Exhibitions: Armaments: Many many many guns, cannons and weaponry.Flags: Various types used.Fashion: Military for men & lifestyle for women. Miniature Battles: Couple makeshifts scenes. Amazing details, and craftsmanship.Overall, a great museum. Texas was part of the confederacy during the nasty civil war but more importantly, Texas sought to be their own country and independent in 1836. My initial assumption was wrong about being a museum to stock up on confederate related items. This museum depicted what life was like during the 1850s and surrounding time frames with the main exhibit dedicated to the Union & Confederate daily life as a soldier or officer. The DFW has many history museums. This civil war one organized well without trying to convince, persuade or justify what the exhibits are displaying.History develops while art stands still.www.cleeshyun.com@cigarcpa@cleeshyun
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Joshua T.
Jun 12, 2021
First time here. The museum has a lot of nice artifacts from the Civil War including dresses. It does take on the confederate point of view during the short film and explains how Texas basically maintained its independence while fighting and was able to go back to business as usual when the war was over.
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Brooke B.
Jan 17, 2024
Lots of great reviews here. Any parent could make a day of it with their kids. All I could think about was how awesome it would be to coordinate with my child's teacher and find out when his class would be learning about this time in our Country. Throw in an extra credit report maybe? Children retain so much more if they can relate their learning with "real life" images.Do try to see the 20 minute video before you move in for the museum. Had my 85 year old Uncle visit and this was the excuse I had been needing to visit the museum. He enjoyed it very much. There are many exhibits, so don't go in thinking you will get through it all in 30 minutes. Was nearly two hours for us. I do wish there were a couple of chairs in each room to accommodate those who need to take a break from standing for a minute. We would have probably stayed even longer with a break here and there.Something for everybody here. Children can actually see garments worn by children their own age. Lots of fun reactions when they are face to face with the reality of those times. The Victorian dresses are amazing and make throwing on a pair of jeans proof of how easy we have it.A lot of Military weapons and personal items. Seeing actual medical equipment used is eye opening. The displays of miniature "toy" soldiers and battles is mind blowing. The community must be sure to keep this place going! Such a treasure.
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Linda R.
Feb 12, 2023
Calling all history and Civil War buffs, the Texas Civil War Museum is a hidden gem. Start with a movie about Texas' role in the Civil War. The museum's artifacts collection is incredible. The collection of the Confederacy is on the south wall and the Union is on the north wall. Both the North and the South are equally represented with mirroring artifacts and descriptions. This museum balances both sides to tell the story of the Civil War. The artifacts leads to Civil War artillery, but the beautiful surprise is the collection of Victorian dresses.I enjoy reading all of the description placards, as it tells a wonderful story. Because I read everything, our visit took about three hours. Those who walked past the artifacts for a quick glance spent less time.The docents are friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable. Browse the gift shop for unique trinkets and t-shirts. This museum is the Richey's labor of love , and it shows from all of the details. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Richey for sharing your passion with us so that we, too, may enjoy this beautiful piece of history!
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