National Civil War Museum, The, Harrisburg

Anyone who thought this wonderful museum portrays the cause of the Civil War as being only due to slavery certainly didn't spend much time there or take the time to examine what it offered. It's true that the beginning of the tour grabs your attention by focusing on slavery, but an intelligent person can figure out that there were more subtle influences than just slavery that caused the Civil War. States rights, economic factors, and differences of culture in general are also discussed through various mediums in this museum. One needs to spend a few hours there to fully appreciate the place. The only critizism I have is that there are a few areas and artifacts that are rather poorly lighted and a real strain on the eyes to read the descriptions.

Anyone who passed middle school should understand that the reason for the war was not slavery. This museum would have the attendee believe otherwise; therefore, if you are an elementary school student, or content will modern societies attempt to eradicate all truth, I will give 5 stars.

I'm not a big Civil War history buff and don't particularly have a great interest in war in general, but this museum is top notch. It is a MUST SEE for everyone.

We found a great lcoal attraction that we didn't know existed. After visiting Gettysburg 2 years ago and now visiting this museum, we feel it has more information and things to see than Gettysburg did. It completely covers the war from start to finish. You will need at least 3 hrs to visit and see everything.

It was so historic and i got to do so much with out any hurry or rush, it was peaceful and quiet. Also, people who like history should go there.

Great artifacts, set-up, and gives both sides viewpoints. Video and audio presentations. Lots of artifacts. Chronological order, or you can skip around. Incredibly interesting. Some little-known facts are presented. Weve been to Andersonville and Gettysburg, and this place beats both. Hard place to find, but there are signs to direct you.

I took my grandfather, a Civil War enthusiast, to the museum. He said he learned things he had never known and had a completely new outlook on the war after touring. The employees were very knowledgable and helpful, and the huge range of artifacts, photographs, wax figures, video, and replicas captured my attention despite my usual disintrist in history.