Museums

Visit one of these museums and experience the colorful history of our region. Whether you are a Civil War buff, an antique maps and books lover, or a history buff in general, each of these museums has something to offer. Why not make a day of it?

Fredericksburg Area Museum & Cultural Center

Originally constructed in 1816 as the City of Fredericksburg's Town Hall and Market House, the Federal-style building's lower floor and adjacent lot was Fredericksburg's only legal outlet for selling and trading food. The upper floors of the building were used as the Town Hall, where the town's governing body and the mayor had offices. The Town Hall/Market House remained Fredericksburg's main local government venue for the next 166 years. When the former Town Hall/Market House was vacated and new government buildings were built, the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center was created.

This museum contains six permanent exhibit galleries that help tell the story of the Fredericksburg area’s rich and varied past. From pre-historic times, through Indian and Colonial settlement, the Revolutionary and Federal eras, the Civil War and Reconstruction, to twentieth-century days, the museum offers a view not only of our town, but America as well.

The Civil War exhibits emphasize the civilian experience; although attention is also paid to the soldier. Military items on display include a Henry rifle, a sword with "CSA" carved into the basket, and a Confederate officer's coat, among others. Most weapons and accessories were found on local battlefields. Several fine Civil War documents and letters provide a wonderful picture of Fredericksburg during the years 1861-1865.

The museum's collections include manuscripts, books and more from Fredericksburg and the surrounding counties. Included are photographs, paintings, maps, books, personal papers, business records, government papers, postcards and other miscellaneous items. The museum's collection includes a set of 42 late-eighteenth/early-nineteenth-century land grants and indentures from the area. The museum also owns many fine nineteenth-century books, approximately 300 postcards of twentieth-century Fredericksburg-area scenes and the original Jane Howison Beale Journal.

Adult admission is $5, students 6 through 18 is $1. Group rates available. March 1-November 30: open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm. December 1-February 29: open Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 1-4pm. Closed January 1, Thanksgiving, December 24, 25 and 31. A museum gift shop is available.

907 Princess Anne Street
Fredericksburg, Virginia
(540) 371-3037
www.famcc.org

Civil War Life Museum

Located next to the Spotsylvania County Visitor Center in Massaponax Crossing, the Civil War Life Museum – The Soldiers’ Museum – brings the turbulent Civil War era to life with extensive displays of original artifacts, as well as life-size displays. The displays capture everyone’s imagination, from children to serious Civil War buffs.

Displays are designed for maximum viewing and include audio, video and computer-generated varieties. Most of the displays are "child friendly" and encourage learning through sight, sound and touch. Special programs for school groups who wish to enhance their learning experience are available.

Rare military and personal items are on display. They include: Life in Camp – games, shaving and grooming supplies, mess gear, cooking implements and other basic camp necessities Artillery Artifacts – smoothbore and rifled projectiles, tools and weapons, including a 3-inch Ordnance Rifle Soldiers’ Uniforms – mannequins with US and CS artillery uniforms Horses’ Uniforms – a fully outfitted cavalry horse mannequin Cavalry – US and CS weapons including breech and muzzle loading carbines, swords and revolvers Infantry – primary and secondary Infantry firearms and equipment with correct accessories Hospital/medical – army surgical kit, medical books and associated equipment Music – recorded Civil War music and instruments

Gift shop stocked with items such as books, hand-blown glass, music and historically relevant gifts. Open daily, admission charged.

4712 Southpoint Parkway
Fredericksburg, Virginia (Exit 126 off I-95 to US Route 1 South)
(540) 834-1859
www.civilwar-life.com
Email: mail@civilwar-life.com

White Oak Civil War Museum

Located six miles east of Fredericksburg, the old "White Oak School" houses a unique and extensive collection of Union and Confederate artifacts from actual Civil War battle sites and encampments around the Fredericksburg area. The displays will amaze the novice as well as the serious Civil War buff.

The White Oak Civil War Museum stands on the site of the original White Oak School. The original school burned and was rebuilt in 1912 as a one-room schoolhouse. Thanks to many dedicated "old time relic hunters" from Stafford County, the White Oak Civil War Museum now houses a unique collection of Civil War artifacts. Some rare military and personal items are on display. They include: • A display containing 60,000 bullets of the approximately 90,000 bullets displayed throughout the museum. Some of the bullets were discarded, others shot by soldiers in the camps and target areas. • A 13-inch mortar shell found at Aquia Creek landing, fired from a Union gun ship at Confederates positioned there. • Swords, bayonets, canteens and other relics used by soldiers. • Shoulder scales primarily from campsites at Belle Plains. • Bottles, plates, and related items taken by soldiers from Fredericksburg and Stafford area homes. • Confederate loan paper and confederate money. • Soldier huts replicating Stafford County Union camp life.

Open Wednesday through Sunday 9am-5pm. Adult admission $3. Seniors $1.50. Students 13-17, $1.50. Children 7-12, $1. Under 7 free.

985 White Oak Road
Falmouth, Va. (Intersection of routes 218 and 603.)
(540) 371-4234
Email: deskjet21@aol.com