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The excellent and unique National Civil War
Chaplains Museum is located on the main campus of Liberty University between
the Hancock Welcome Center and the prayer chapel at 1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA. 24151. It was founded in 2005 and is the only museum dedicated
to the history of chaplains, priests and rabbis (for both Union and
Confederacy). The director is Mr. Kenny Rowlette, and he graciously devoted
several hours to providing us with a private, guided tour of the museum during
which we made a few representative photographs of the extensive collection of
artifacts. The museum contains hundreds (thousands?) of items ranging from tiny
uniform buttons and bullets to large manikins and full wall mural paintings.
The displays include many handwritten letters and manuscripts as well. The
museum has an extensive gift shop with many books and related items; and a
research library and workshop. The museum is reached easily from route 29 and
is very well worth a visit.
The museum provides visitors with interesting fact sheet and brochure. Among
the interesting facts: The Union armies had 2,154 regimental chaplains, and the
Confederate armies had 1,308 regimental chaplains. In addition there were over
200 chaplains in hospitals or military posts. Among them were the many
different Protestant denominations, Catholic priests and Jewish Rabbis (in
Union army only). There were African-American, Native-American and female
chaplains. Interesting also is the split in some denominations created by the
war. The Methodists did not reunite until 1939, The Presbyterians not until
1973 and the Baptists still remain separate. The museum has a clear web page at
www.cwchaplainsmuseum.org
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Exhibit describing the legacy of Bishop Henry
M. Turner
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Organ with TV monitor screen on which museum
videos are shown
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Display describing the general duties and
functions of chaplains during the Civil War
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Painting of Confederates tending to wounded
after a battle
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Painting of Father Corby giving absolution to
troops during 2nd day of the Battle at Gettysburg - a statue in this same pose
is on the battlefield.
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Painting of General Jackson praying
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Exceptionally fine small statue of General
Jackson
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A wood section of the sign at the Shiloh
Chapel
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A small diorama of a Confederate artillery
position
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Manikin of Protestant minister, Union
chaplain.
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General view of one of the museum rooms to
show some of the variety of exhibits.
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Diorama depicting a field chaplain's meeting
place
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Manikin of rabbi with some adjacent artifacts
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Manikin of seated chaplain
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Painting of Irish Brigade of Union Army in
battle
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A very interesting original temporary coffin.
It is designed with openings in top through which to place ice to preserve the
body for transport to final resting place
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Manikin and wall mural
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Portrait - "In God We Trust"
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