Exhibits & Events | Columbus | National Civil War Naval Museum

Exhibits

The exhibit begins with a comparison of the United States and Confederate Navies showing totals of ships and sailors along with details concerning training and organization. It then takes the visitor month by month through the war showing naval events, and features many of the museum's most rare artifacts. Detailed models of many famous Civil War ships are on display including the CSS Atlanta which is located just opposite the huge 25-foot long flag that was captured on the actual ship.

The scene is Plymouth, NC in October, 1864, as we see the famous Confederate ironclad, CSS Albemarle sitting dockside. The ship is open to view both inside and out; a rare opportunity to get a glimpse inside a unique craft. The Albemarle is a classic Confederate Navy design, with a diamond hull and armored casemate. It was 150 feet long and carried two 6.4-inch Brooke Rifles mounted fore and aft, each able to pivot and shoot out of its three gunports.

This steam and sail powered gunboat was built in Saffold, Georgia. In May of 1863, she suffered a boiler explosion near Blountstown, Florida in the Apalachicola River killing 19 crewmen. The ship was brought to Columbus in January of 1864 and underwent repairs. She was stationed at the Navy Yard in Columbus and was sunk by her own Confederate Navy Officers in April, 1865, to keep the ship from falling into Union hands.

This display represents the largest collection of original Civil War Naval-related flags in the country.

The Confederate Naval Shipyard in Columbus produced the CSS Jackson, one of the largest of the ironclads built in the South. Sitting dockside when Union Cavalry captured Columbus in 1865, it was torched and set adrift. After resting in the Chattahoochee River, it was raised in 1961. Columbus businessman J.W. Woodruff, led local efforts to fund and conduct the excavation and recovery of the wreck which became the centerpiece of the museum. The display gallery is named in his honor.

The USS Hartford, flagship of the US Navy’s first admiral, Admiral David Farragut, is replicated in part at Port Columbus to demonstrate daily navy life to museum visitors. It was on board this ship that Admiral Farragut famously dammned the torpedoes at the Battle of Mobile Bay. A recreated berth deck, wardroom and captain’s cabin are displayed and are frequently used in living history at the museum.

The USS Monitor was revolutionary in warship design with an armored rotating turret to house the cannons. It also had a low deck presenting a small profile above the waterline. The turret is replicated in life size detail in the exhibit.

This display represents the largest collection of original Civil War Naval-related flags in the country.

News & Upcoming Events

Lift Every Voice: African Americans in Civil War Navies

For the fifth year, the Museum will celebrate Black History Month with a special interactive tour featuring first person living history interpretations. This program offers guests a variety of stories, highlighting the Navy experience through the eyes of African American nurses, pilots, sailors, and engineers.

When: 12:00 p.m. & 2:30 pm on February 8, 2020 and 2:30 pm on February 9, 2020

Cost: general admission at the door

Tickets available Online>

RiverBlast2020

This educational and family-friendly festival is FREE, lots of fun, and open to the public! Visitors can enjoy museum tours, a kidzone, live entertainment, food trucks, craft vendors, cannon firings and civil war demonstrations. There is something for the entire family to enjoy!

Thanks for the generous support from AFLAC, TSYS and the Columbus Cultural Arts Alliance.

When: Saturday, March 21 & Sunday, March 22, 2020

Cost: FREE admission both days

Want to be a vendor at RiverBlast? Please fill out the contact form> or call 706-221-1005.

Volunteer Meetup

Interested in history? Like meeting new people? Have some time to volunteer? This is your perfect opportunity. The museum is looking for volunteers to serve as tour guides and guest services representatives. Scheduling is flexible and no extensive knowledge of Civil War naval history is necessary. Training will be provided. Attend a meet-up and see if this is a good fit for you.

When: First Monday of the Month @ 1:00pm

RSVP appreciated but not required

The Warner Collection

Not much is known about the background of one of the key figures in engineering circles from the Civil War and a prominent figure in Columbus, Georgia. The story of James Warner falls into the category of incomplete information, but he is key to understanding maritime engineering in the mid-19th century and the role that Columbus plays during the Civil War.

Exhibits

News & Upcoming Events

"If you have any interest in the Civil War this will help fill in a missing part."

...museum visitor, Google review