Last updated: 1/13/2011
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Address
Civil War and Underground Railroad Museum of Philadelphia
1805 Pine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Hours

Thursday - Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Admissions

$5 Adults
$4 Seniors (62+) and AAA Members
$3 Students and Children 3-12
FREE Children Under 3
FREE Members of the Museum
$3 each for Group Tours (12 or more people)

Museum Type(s)

Staff

Beth Ilyssa Becker
phone: 215-735-8196
e-mail:
Andrew Coldren
phone:
e-mail:
Description

The museum was founded by many Civil War veterans as they started collecting their mementos from the war. Eventually they moved the collection to its present site. We have objects ranging from Meade's uniform to Jefferson Davis' smoking jacket, field medical kits, weaponry, even the head of General Meade's favorite horse, Old Baldy!

History

Immediately after the assassination of President Lincoln, a group of Union army, navy and marine corps officers assembled, fearing that the South would try to attack. They formed MOLLUS, the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Eventually this organization became a fraternal one for veterans of the Civil War. In 1888 they founded a museum, the basis of which was the collection of objects they themselves had donated from their own experiences in battle. In 1922 they purchased the building at 1805 and the collection has been housed there ever since.

Artifact Collections

Weaponry of every kind, uniforms, acoutrements, flags used on the battlefield. Personal artifacts of many Civil War personalities, including a large collection of Abraham Lincoln - related items. A large collection of military escutcheons, paintings, and official records. Highlights include General Meade's uniform, the playbill from the Fords Theater the night Lincoln was shot, the "wanted" poster for Lincoln's assassins, Jefferson Davis' smoking jacket, and the head of Old Baldy, General Meade's favorite horse.

Research Collections

We have a comprehensive Civil War Library, including rosters, diaries and official records.

Educational Programs

We host various lectures and programs throughout the year.

Governance

Executive Director, John Rumm

Library
Access: General Public, Students, Scholars
Appointment required: No
Exhibitions
Museum Events
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MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Public Lands Alliance 2025 Convention and Trade Show

February 2 - 6, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

February 5 - 7, 2025

Milledgeville, Georgia

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

February 17 - 19, 2025

Gaithersburg, Maryland

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

March 11 - 14, 2025

Knoxville, Tennessee

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