Bardstown Civil War Museum

The Civil War Museum, located in what used to be the town's water works and icehouse, the 8500 sq. ft. building has been completely renovated with $450,000 from the state government. It is the fourth-largest Civil War Museum in the United States. In 1999 we added the only museum dedicated to the women of the Civil War, featuring exhibits of period clothing, paintings, and personal artifacts. It is located in the Historic Wright Talbott House, adjacent to the Civil War Museum. Unlike the other museums, this one focuses mainly on the War of the Western States. The story of the western theater is told plainly in geographical and chronological segments. Visitors move through a series of exhibits featuring myriad artifacts from both the Union and the Confederacy. Examples of some of the artifacts the museum showcases include the flag of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry, the presentation sword of Confederate Brigadier General Lloyd Tilghman, and a silver flask presented to Confederate General John C. Breckinridge a few days after he joined the Confederate Army. Among other things, the museum also has Infantry, Cavalry , Naval Artillery Rooms. a The Artillery Room is one major display you won't want to miss. Among others, the display includes a one-pounder smoothbore cannon made at the Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond, Virginia. Used in the field by Mosby's raiders, the gun could be taken apart and transported on horseback. Also among the displays is a 12 lb. mountain Howitzer, belonging to Eli Lilly's 18th Indiana artillery.