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All 18 Harrisburg Attractions »

National Civil War Museum

1 Lincoln Circle & Reservoir Park, Harrisburg, PA
866-258-4729, 717-260-1861
Ranked #2 of 14 attractions in Harrisburg
4.5 of 5 stars 49 Reviews
Type: History Museums
Description: The only museum in the United States to present a balanced, unbiased look at the Civil War.
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49 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
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Date Rating
Daggett, Michigan
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 May 2012 NEW

I had no idea the national civil war museum was in Harrisburg until I found a travel flyer that told me so. The museum is in a scenic loction on a hill overlooking the city. Tickets are $10, $8 for military. Storyboards and multimedia presentations tell the story from beginning to end very well. There are also a large number... More

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Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 May 2012 NEW

We recently visited Hershey Pa and spent a morning at the museum which is relatively new in the last 11 yrs. It's a beautiful large building at the top of a hill in the outskirts of Harrisburg with a tremendous view of the Harrisburg area. It is full of artifacts and you should plan at least 2-3 hrs at the... More

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Perth, Australia
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 May 2012
1
person found this review helpful

We stayed in New Cumberland just out of Harrisburg for 2 nights as the hotels/motels are cheaper and so that we could have a full day sightseeing around the area. The day commenced by driving to York via small back roads which took about an hour, but you could do it in less time by taking the highway. We like... More

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Lewisberry
Senior Contributor
36 reviews 36 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 May 2012

This place is well done but I had the feeling that everything was very peripheral to the actual war. It never actually made it to Harrisburg so you lose the connection.

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See 6 more reviews by teleman2 for Harrisburg
Lynn Smolizer, Public Relations Manager at National Civil War Museum, responded to this review
22 May 2012

Thank you for your review. Although there was no major battle that occurred in Harrisburg during the Civil War, there were several skirmishes in the area just across the river. Harrisburg was also a major rail center and housed Camp Curtin, the largest Federal mustering camp during the war. It was of such strategic importance that General Lee made it... More

Charleston, South Carolina
Senior Contributor
22 reviews 22 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 May 2012

One could easily spend several hours here and for the really serious most of a day. The collection is huge and arranged in chronological order. I liked the medical exhibit and the ambulance. Lots of school groups but it's a large museum set high on a hill with wonderful views. If you are interested in Civil War history this is... More

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See 3 more reviews by Mary2121 for Harrisburg
Middletown, Pennsylvania
Top Contributor
51 reviews 51 reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 May 2012

Historical context and Historical prespective done well in this treasure. Chances are you will be the only one there to experience this place. Lee never made it this far but you should

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See 9 more reviews by Procurer for Harrisburg
Camp Hill, PA
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 May 2012

Lots of wonderful videos about various subjects related to the Civil War, in addition to the usual type of Museum displays (General Lee's bible!). The only thing that keeps attendance down is the drive to Gettysburg. If the city of Harrisburg had any money and any sense, they would establish a shuttle service to run people back and forth between... More

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See 3 more reviews by babybowen for Harrisburg
Lynn Smolizer, Public Relations Manager at National Civil War Museum, responded to this review
22 May 2012

Thank you for taking the time to write a review. Since the Museum is only 40 miles from Gettysburg, we have also contemplated a shuttle service (separate from the city) from the NCWM to Gettysburg and back. Thank you again for your feedback and we hope to see you again. More

Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 April 2012

Superb museum that provides an excellent understanding of the civil war. I most enjoyed the video stories of selected characters that progress as one makes one way through the museum. We could have used more than the 3 hours we allotted for visiting the museum as there is so much to take in.

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Harrisburg, Pa
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 April 2012
2
people found this review helpful

We spent a few days in Hershey, Pa. We did the tourist things in Hershey and of course traveled to see Gettysburg. We also visited the Ntional Civil War Museum in Harrisburg. Our expectations weren't too high since it was only going to cost 9 bucks to get in. Boy were we surprised. The museum is a must see attraction.... More

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Lynn Smolizer, Public Relations Manager at National Civil War Museum, responded to this review
22 May 2012

Thank you for taking the time to give us feedback. We’re so glad you made the trip from Hershey and enjoyed your visit. Museums are certainly a great place to visit on a rainy day, but the nice thing about visiting us on a clear, sunny day are the great views surrounding the Harrisburg area. Thank you for visiting! More

Lindenhurst, New York
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 April 2012
1
person found this review helpful

On a trip to Lancaster, we took a day trip into Harrisburg to indulge my 13 year old son's interest in wars and weapons. The museum sits on a hill overlooking Harrisburgs. It is a very pretty view. They discount admission for students which saves a few bucks. The exhibits are very well done and there are a few interactive... More

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