Exhibits


















News & Upcoming Events
Bugs on the Hooch
The museum will host a VW car show and swap meet with vendors, displays and activities.
When: Saturday, May 23, grounds open at 8am, museum opens at 10am
Cost: Free admission to the grounds, $8 + tax admission to the museum
Summer Guest Speakers
*free admission and open to the public
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Beth Hunter
Quilts and Their Stories: The People, Places, and Stories They Tell
Beth Hunter received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her interests include southern history, southern diseases, the New Deal, and textile arts. In addition to her many years as an adjunct professor, Beth is also an accomplished sewist and quilter, her creations are featured in her blog alabamaquilts.net and have been displayed in Hitachi, Japan. She is an active member of Birmingham Quilters Guild and has served on a variety of historic boards, served as both a writer and editor for various publications. Her research in Unrivaled: Sewanee 1899 aided in the documentary’s Emmy nomination.
When: Thursday, June 4th @ 6:00pm
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Thomas Nank
Forgotten Monitor: The Story of the USS Tecumseh
Thomas E. Nank is a native of Michigan and a retired U. S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer. He is a graduate of Gettysburg College with a BA in History and Public History and Civil War Era Studies minors. He writes for history magazines and websites and is a Research Assistant with the American Battlefield Trust. He lives in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
When: Thursday, July 30th @ 6:00pm
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Dr. Terry Beckenbaugh
War Comes to the White River Valley
Dr. Terry L. Beckenbaugh is an associate professor with the Department of Joint Warfare at the United States Air Force Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama, where he teaches international security and military history. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas and worked previously at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana and for the United States Army Center for Military History prior to coming to Fort Leavenworth. His publications include many articles surrounding military battle during the Civil War. He is currently working on a book focusing on the White River Campaign in Arkansas in 1862 tentatively titled Pragmatic Abolitionists.
When: Thursday, August 20th @ 6:00pm
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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 service 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
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Have You Seen the Viper?
The CSS Viper has been overshadowed by her better-known Chattahoochee River Squadron mates, the Jackson and the Chattahoochee. Little is known except that this third Columbus-based warship, a semi-submersible, did exist, was constructed at the Columbus Naval Yard towards the end of the Civil War.
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Orienting the Ordnance
Check out our new digital exhibit about the big guns at the museum.







