Preserving religion’s role in the conflict

A new Civil War Museum in Lynchburg, Va., will offer a very different perspective on Amer-

ica’s bloodiest conflict. The National Civil War Chaplains Research Center and Museum will be the only one of its kind in the United States.

The mission of the museum and foundation is to educate the public about the role of chaplains, priests, rabbis and religious organizations during the Civil War. The museum also will promote the continuing study of the various methods of dissemination of religious doctrine and moral teachings during the Civil War and will preserve religious artifacts associated with the conflict. The museum will present interpretive programs that show the influence of religion on the lives of political and military personnel.

The proposed location is 10,000 square feet of space in the Arthur S. DeMoss Learning Center on the campus of Liberty University in Lynchburg. Plans are under way to open the center in the fall.

The Museum plans displays on:

• Camp life, hospitals and the battlefield.

• The U.S. Christian Commission.

• The life of the chaplain, priest and rabbi in the U.S. Army.

• The life of the chaplain, priest and unofficial rabbis in the Confederate army.

• Black chaplains in the U.S. and CSA armies.

• Notable chaplains, priests and rabbis.

• The notable spiritual lives of U.S. and CSA leaders.

• The great revivals.

• Religious music of the era.

A modern, interactive area will portray a camp and battlefield worship service. Here, visitors will be able to stand among holographic images of soldiers and the chaplain, priest or rabbi and participate in the service while hearing what is being thought by the soldiers and the chaplain, priest or rabbi.

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