Today was a visit to the Civil War & Underground Railroad Museum of Philadelphia. It was a peacful place to visit compared to other Philly museums inundated with school kids.
What stood out was the story of the founding of the museum itself. A group of Civil War Union vets started a group after the war to guard over Lincoln's body. Later, the group began collecting items from other Veterans in the building during the 1880s. Much of what is on the walls has been there since the 1920s and hasn't been moved since. Museum is in a creak four story building which is dimly lit, but a throw-back to a different time. A very friendly, laid back staff compared to other high-traffic museums.
A recent announcement was that the musuem will move down near Independence Park by 2010.
Some of the most interesting items were the battle monuments---a photo of General Grant looking over a map with General Meade while tropps sat on church pews, portions of trees with artillery shells embedded , such as from Gettysburg Battle. Also General George Amstrong Custer's personal flag from Gettysburg, and various Lincoln memorobilia such as a photo of the funeral processiona, and a lock of Lincoln's Hair.
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