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Welcome to Bardstown Museum Row
The Civil War Museum & the Women’s Museum of the Civil War are America’s largest and most complete Museums devoted to the Western Theater of the American Civil War. Over 8000 Square feet of authentic period exhibits tell of the struggle between the forces of the Union and Confederacy, from the Appalachian Mountains west to the Mississippi and south to Georgia and the Gulf of Mexico.
Located in Bardstown, Ky
The Women’s Museum chronicles the achievements of women of all backgrounds, races and creeds during the 1800’s and Civil War. Achievements in science, medicine, nursing, writing, journalism, civil rights, suffrage, the arts, military service and more! A compelling women’s empowerment experience. We believe it is the only museum of it’s kind in the country.
The 4th largest Civil War Museum in the US
If all of this is not enough, there is also the adjoining The General Hal Moore Military Museum, dedicated to Bardstown native Lt. General Hal Moore, U.S. Army, a Vietnam and Korean War Hero. Exhibits in this Museum cover conflicts from the American Revolution to the Mid-East battles of today, and are centered on the contributions of the many Kentuckians who served. We have recently expanded our World War I exhibit to honor the 100th anniversary of that war.
Historic Bardstown Village
The Museum’s buildings are adjacent to the Old Bardstown Village, a collection of ten original 18th and 19th Century log structures that form a Colonial period settlement along Bardstown’s Museum Row.
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Where history comes to life...

The Civil War Museum & the Women’s Museum of the Civil War are America’s largest and most complete Museums devoted to the Western Theater of the American Civil War. Over 8000 Square feet of authentic period exhibits tell of the struggle between the forces of the Union and Confederacy, from the Appalachian Mountains west to the Mississippi and south to Georgia and the Gulf of Mexico.

The collection of the Civil War Museum includes the flag of raider John Hunt Morgan’s 2nd Kentucky Cavalry, Confederate Brigadier General Lloyd Tilghman’s presentation sword and a silver flask presented to Confederate General John C. Breckinridge, the former Vice President of the United States. The very large collection is carefully balanced between both Union and Confederate displays. Specialty rooms are set aside for the Politics of the time, Slavery, Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery and both brown and salt water Navies. Notable in the artillery room is John Mosby’s one pounder smooth bore cannon made by Tredegar Iron Works of Richmond, Virginia.

The Women’s Museum chronicles the achievements of women of all backgrounds, races and creeds during the 1800’s and Civil War. Achievements in science, medicine, nursing, writing, journalism, civil rights, suffrage, the arts, military service and more! A compelling women’s empowerment experience. We believe it is the only museum of its kind in the country.

The Museum’s buildings are adjacent to the Old Bardstown Village, a collection of ten original 18th and 19th Century log structures that form a Colonial period settlement along Bardstown’s Museum Row

The Museums are located in downtown Bardstown, Kentucky, in the center of the beautiful Bourbon country. Bardstown is just one hour West of Lexington, off the Bluegrass Parkway, and 45 minutes South of Louisville, off Highway 65.

If all of this is not enough, there is also the adjoining The General Hal Moore Military Museum, dedicated to Bardstown native Lt. General Hal Moore, U.S. Army, a Vietnam and Korean War Hero. He and his influential wife, “Miss Julie” Moore, were subjects of the book and movie “We Were Soldiers Once and Young”. Exhibits in this Museum cover conflicts from the American Revolution to the Mid-East battles of today, and are centered on the contributions of the many Kentuckians who served. We have recently expanded our World War I exhibit to honor the 100th anniversary of that war.

Tickets are good for two consecutive days to allow time see everything, and they admit visitors to all the Museums. Special rates are given for groups of 20 or more. For more information, please telephone us at (502) 349-0291.

If you are unable to visit, we have a Guided Tour DVD of our Museum is available from our gift shop. To purchase, call the museum at (502) 349-0291 or email us..

We are seeking CIVIL WAR artifacts from Kentucky’s African American Community from the Western Theater (AL, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN) to exhibit at our Bardstown Civil War Museum. Photos, letters, uniforms, weapons and other period artifacts can be donated for a tax deduction or loaned. We are a 501(c)(3) tax exempt educational organization, dedicated to preserving and telling the history of our community. Please contact the Museum at 502-349-0291.

Photos

Contact Us

310 E. Broadway, Bardstown, KY 40004

Email Us

(502) 349-0291

*Old Bardstown Village / Civil War Museum is a 501C Nonprofit Corporation chartered educational facility.

                

HOURS

2024 MUSEUM HOURS

March 1 – October 27
Open Every Day 10AM – 5PM

November 1 – December 1
Open Weekends Only 
10AM – 5PM

CLOSED for the winter season
December 2 – Feb. 28, 2025 

Special tours arranged for groups of 20 or more year-round. Call (502) 349-0291

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

John S. Kelley
Steve Munson
William Sanders
Miles Spalding
Frank Welch
Jessica Johnson
Lisa Thomas
Frank Manion
Jerry Janes
Mike Thomas                  Linda McCloskey

Area Resources

We have lots of links that will be helpful to our visitors. View Links >

Donate Artifacts

We are grateful for gifts and loans of artifacts. If you have an item you think we would be interested in, please call the Museum at (502) 349-0291 or email us. We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization. Your donations may be a tax deduction to you!

Volunteers Needed

If you would like to be involved with a dynamic and growing organization and have time to help at our Museums, please call us at (502) 349-0291 or send us a message.
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