Updated: 2/22/2012 
Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History
Kennesaw, Georgia
Description

The Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, formerly the Kennesaw Civil War Museum, will hold a grand re-opening celebration March 30, 2003, after a massive $6 million expansion that has resulted in a facility ten times the size of the previous building.

Located in Kennesaw, GA, the Museum, a Smithsonian Institution affiliate, will continue to house its star attraction, the General, the locomotive stolen during the Civil War's Great Locomotive Chase, but has greatly expanded the collection to include a brand new film depicting the chase, a Medal of Honor awarded posthumously to one of the Union raiders, and reproductions of the hotel where the chase began, along with Tunnel Hill.

The Museum also houses two other permanent collections, including Railroads: Lifelines of the Civil War and Glover Machine Works: Casting a New South. The railroad collection details how railroads were used to ship troops, weapons, and medical supplies during the war. An integral part of the Railroads Collection are the James A. Liesendahl Collection and the George Wray and Family Collection, which features a wide variety of weaponry, uniforms, personal items, musical instruments, and other items that illustrate life during this period of national strife.

The Glover Collection chronicles the role industry played in rebuilding the South after the Civil War. This interactive collection features the only full-scale belt-driven locomotive assembly line in the country from the Glover Machine Works, a factory reproduction with two locomotives in various stages of completion, a film, various machines and patterns, and extensive Glover archives of personal and business records and documentation.

As a Smithsonian Affiliations program member, the Museum will present exhibits from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), offer periodic guest lectures from Smithsonian Institution historians, and display Smithsonian artifacts within Museum collections. Other distinctive exhibits will also be on display from time to time.

Artifact Collections

Heading South? Don't miss Atlanta's historic countryside in Kennesaw, GA, home to the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. The Southern Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, was named "Travel Attraction of the Year" by the Southeast Tourism Society and received a "Best Idea" award from the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, and both venues were recently voted best historic site for families by the readers of Our Kids Atlanta magazine. Kennesaw Mountain also earned a 2003 Readers Choice Award for Favorite Historic Site from Georgia Magazine.

The Southern Museum is a must-see destination for train and Civil War enthusiasts; it is the home of the world-famous locomotive, the General that was stolen by Union spies during the Civil War's exciting Great Locomotive Chase. Led by James J. Andrews, the spies, most of who hailed from Ohio, were chased by Confederate Conductor William Fuller and stopped just before they reached the Tennessee line. Some of the spies were among the first recipients of the Medal of Honor, and the Museum has Sgt. John Scott's medal on display. The daring raid is captured in a short film.

The Museum also houses two other permanent collections, including Railroads: Lifelines of the Civil War and Glover Machine Works: Casting a New South. The Railroads collection details how railroads were used to ship troops, weapons, and medical supplies during the war. An integral part of the Railroads collection are the James A. Liesendahl Collection and the George Wray and Family Collection, which feature a wide variety of rare Confederate weaponry, uniforms, personal items, musical instruments, and other items that illustrate life during this period of national strife.

The Glover Collection chronicles the role industry played in rebuilding the South after the Civil War. This interactive collection features the only full-scale belt-driven

Programs

The Southern Museum offers visitors many programs, guided tours, and reenactments throughout the year.

Library

Access: General Public, Students, Scholars

Appointment required: True

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