Tredegar Iron Works and American Civil War Museum, Richmond (must see)

The American Civil War Museum in Richmond is a multi-site institution dedicated to preserving and interpreting the extensive history of the American Civil War. With its three locations—the White House of the Confederacy, the American Civil War Museum at Historic Tredegar in Richmond, and the American Civil War Museum at Appomattox—the museum presents a diverse collection and range of exhibits that delve deep into the war's complex narrative.

The Museum's origin dates back to 1894 with the establishment of the Museum of the Confederacy, located in the historic White House of the Confederacy. This site, close to the Virginia State Capitol, was preserved from destruction by the Ladies Hollywood Memorial Association and opened as a museum on the anniversary of Jefferson Davis's inauguration in 1896. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1963. The museum hosts an extensive collection of Confederate flags, weapons, documents, and personal belongings from key figures such as Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee.

In 2012, the American Civil War Museum expanded to include a location at Appomattox, adjacent to the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. This site focuses on the concluding episodes of the Civil War and the initial steps towards national reunion, featuring 5,000 square feet of exhibit space.

The site at Historic Tredegar, tracing back to 1836 with the founding of the Tredegar Iron Works by Francis B. Deane, plays a pivotal role in the museum's footprint. Under Joseph Reid Anderson, who took over in 1841, Tredegar Iron Works produced a range of industrial and military products, becoming a central player in the Confederacy's war effort. The 2019 addition of a new building at this location has provided the museum with over 7,000 square feet of new gallery space, further enriching its offerings with permanent and changing exhibitions drawn from its impressive collection of Civil War artifacts.

The merger in 2013 between the Museum of the Confederacy and the American Civil War Center at Tredegar led to the creation of the unified American Civil War Museum, which was officially named in January 2014. This merger has allowed for a broader interpretation and presentation of the Civil War's history, emphasizing both the Confederate and broader American experiences during this tumultuous period.