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

Death by Chocolate: Digital Decadence

Our annual fundraising gala has gone virtual. The soundtrack is provided by B.J. Holland, Fiddler’s Band Duo, and SIANTZ. You can enjoy this fun concert for FREE, from anywhere at any time. Check it out and support your museum!

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Food Drive

Help end hunger and give to the annual food drive! Clean out the cabinets and get a discount on admission. Each person who donates at least one can of food will get $1 off the cost of admission to the Museum. Your donation of canned food items will support the important work of Valley Rescue Mission> right here in our community.

Christmas at the Museum

Don't miss our annual open house with holiday music, museum tours, story time, cannon firings, and plenty of Christmas cheer!

When: Saturday, December 5, 2020 from 10:00am to 4:30pm

Cost: FREE and open to the public with suggested donation of cans to support the food drive

Online Content

Can't visit the museum in person just yet? No problem, visit our YouTube channel for guest lectures, episodes of Curator's Corner, and the fun series Navy Lingo. Enjoy from anywhere and subscribe for new videos added often.

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Yellow Jack

One of the most feared ogres of the 19th century was yellow fever. Yellow Jack, Bronze John, the Saffron Scourge, or simply the American plague, were common nicknames for this deadly disease. The yellow references come from the yellow tone of the skin that develops as the fever runs its course. Yellow Jack is also a reference to the yellow flag of quarantine that was typically flown from ships as a signal to stay away because of the disease. One of the worst outbreaks of yellow fever during the war occurred in the Fall of 1862 in Wilmington, N.C.

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