NEW ENGLAND CIVIL WAR MUSEUM INC

The New England Civil War Museum presents the treasure trove of artifacts, documents, and other memories contained within the former Grand Army of the Republic meeting place in Rockville, Connecticut.

Our mission is to connect people emotionally with the memories and the humanity of those who lived and served during the American Civil War. As an educational hub, the museum will provide opportunities for people of all backgrounds to discover their common humanity by forming personal connections with individuals from the American Civil War era. This insight will inspire them to actively contribute to a positive legacy in their world.

A key component of this approach includes a modern, flexible system of interpretive fixtures to increase the footprint of presentation area within the museum, with an emphasis on accessibility to children and younger guests. The story of the average citizen soldier during the American Civil War is presented in a timeline format, from their civilian lives before the war, their experiences during the conflict, and their time as veterans, re-acclimating to society.

We give tours to New England residents as well as visitors from far and wide, including scout groups and students from local schools. Interpretive displays rely heavily on excerpts from letters, diaries, and newspaper memories written by the people themselves, as well as visually through unique artifacts of the time period.

Our Goals:
1. Provide high-quality, immersive, and educational experiences for patrons that interpret the personal experiences of soldiers, sailors, and civilians during the American Civil War.

2. Curating a collection of Civil War era artifacts and documents that support the mission, applying the most modern conservation practices to preserve their integrity.

3. Enhancing the Museum’s ability to fulfill its mission through increased collaboration with local and regional historical societies, museums, and related organizations.

4. Ensuring financial, physical, educational, and environmental stability to secure the growth of the museum for future generations.

5. Actively support the cultural development and heritage of the Village of Rockville, Town of Vernon, State of Connecticut, and the New England region.

Our Values:
• OBJECTIVITY – While the museum primarily interprets and presents the experience of people from New England of the Civil War era, we do so in a factual manner.
• DYNAMICISM – We serve a broad audience of varied heritage and strive to represent as many perspectives as possible for patrons to be able to relate to and a feel a connection with.
• INTEGRITY – We adapt our approach to the most current academic understanding of the time period in a professional, ethical way.
• ACCESSIBILITY – We provide opportunities to engage with stories, artifacts, and source material from the past for learning and understanding by the public, including those that may face barriers accessing the museum’s resources.
• COLLABORATION – We engage and work with members of the community to create agency and the most beneficial opportunities for learning.