Museum Collections | Library Collection | Related Topics
Click to enlargeFort Ward Museum features a collection of over 2,000 objects from the Civil War period, primarily of Union origin, in conjunction with the Federal history of the site. Also included are a smaller number of Confederate objects, most pertaining to the war in Virginia, and items which interpret life in the South during wartime. The permanent collection is diverse, with holdings that include: military equipment related to the infantry, artillery, cavalry and navy; edged and shoulder weapons; flags; musical instruments; medical equipment; uniforms and clothing accessories; cooking and mess equipment; artwork, primarily period prints of both Union and Confederate significance; documents; photographs; and artifacts excavated at Fort Ward.
Click to enlargeThe Dorothy C.S. Starr Research Library at Fort Ward comprises over 2,000 books, periodicals and archival materials on general Civil War history and the Defenses of Washington. The library contains the complete reference series The Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Other important resources include photographs, largely from the Library of Congress and the National Archives, of general war subjects and scenes from the Defenses of Washington. Of special note is a collection of research material which was donated by the authors of several books on the historic defense system. The library has few regimental histories and does not contain military service records.
