• Photo of cannon at Antietam National Battlefield

    The Civil War

Collections

The story of how and why the Civil War unfolded is one that is best told not just through history books and old photographs, but also through the thousands of physical artifacts that were left in its wake. Explore the National Park Service's numerous collections, take a virtual tour, and see for yourself the historic objects that both bring home the horrors of war and paint a more vivid picture of the 19th century hardships soldiers faced on the frontlines.

Browse Collections

  • Captain Henry C. Newton, 93rd New York and an unidentified Union officer seated in front of a tent.

    Gettysburg: Life in Civil War Camps

    Soldiers battle boredom in Union and Confederate camps between engagements and active campaigning

    Explore these collections
  • Photo of Robert E. Lee

    Arlington House: The Robert E. Lee Memorial

    Lee resigned from the U.S. Army here and assumed command of Virginia's military. Union troops occupied the estate after the Lees left.

    Explore these collections
  • Photo of American Flag displaying 35 stars.

    Symbols of Battle: Civil War Flags in NPS Collections

    Flags and colors rally troops to battle, regroup or retreat and affirm the unit's identity and honor.

    Explore these collections
  • Photo of U.S.S Cairo gunboat

    Vicksburg and Battle for Control of the Mississippi

    Life aboard U.S.S. Cairo, the Union ironclad gunboat sunk by underwater torpedoes during the siege of 1863.

    Explore these collections
  • Roll of Missing Men – No. 3 To Returned Soldiers and others, Clara Barton

    Clara Barton: American Red Cross Founder

    She tirelessly tended Civil War soldiers wounded in battle and then worked to locate the missing and the dead after the War.

    Explore these collections