Reviews of Museum & Library of Confederate History (Museum)

maggie miller

Very good place to visit

Chris Schultz

A very well curated museum that one should certainly visit when in the area. Located in downtown Greenville. One of the best Civil War museums I've ever been to. As a history buff I could spend hours here.

Debby Burchfield

Interesting local history of SC participation in the Civil War. Knowledgeable docent. A lot of Confederate memorabilia to see. Off the beaten path in residential area in a former home.

Samson Tsang

The guide lectured me on "states' rights" and never acknowledged slavery. Also, I got the impression that the derringer pistol display was in actuality a shrine to the weapon that murdered President Lincoln...

Hope Anders

Very interesting and plenty to look at. The staff was nice and gave us a tour. The person giving the tour was very knowledgable.

Brett Bradshaw

This is an exceptional museum, with impeccable presentation and fabulous artifacts. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Don't miss this one!

Susan Baird

Small but quite interesting. Great people telling stories!

David Cooper

Fantastic. Hands on, great staff

Gen Gar

Very fascinating collection. Highly reccomend paying them a visit.

Bryce Caster

There is a lot of talk nowadays about where the Confederate flag belongs. Many people say it belongs in a museum. Well... this is that museum. Inside, there are five rooms encapsulating both the military and government history of the Confederacy. There are many many artifacts. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and welcoming. Overall, I was extremely impressed by the museum and learned a lot. I would highly recommend that people from all sides of the political spectrum visit this place to learn about an unfortunate but extremely important part of our history.

Beverly W Schmidt

Great!!

Alexandra Benavent

Nice little Museum ,

Aravinda P

Oh we had quite the experience here. Very informative. Learned a lot of new things, such as what that "half moon" on the SC flag really is! Very cool

Annette Phillips

Information

Bishop Daniel Stansell

Great place to learn history

James Holmes

Cool history and stuff

Cheryl Sosbee

Very well worth visiting..... It's free but they do take donation's.... Worth picking up info if you have kids in school or grandkids..... My grandkids really enjoyed the time we spent in there.....

Deborah Gagliardi

I attended the weekend S.C.’s Governor took down the Confederatte Flag. It was crowded but service and attention to detail was beyond compare. I am going back. Schools are lacking in teaching history.

Rick Ferell

The reason this is a 3-star instead of a 5-star is because I went once before, and had a 5-star experience. We had a good time, saw the exhibits, talked to a curator briefly to ask some questions, etc. I took my girlfriend here last weekend and experienced a 1-star experience. To say that man that talked our ears off for the next 90 minutes was overeager.... is a huge, huge understatement. This guy did not know when to stop talking. Most people can take non-verbal cues, but this guy was oblivious, talking to us about every. single. person on every. single. wall, giving us dates, names, and other minutiae that we had ZERO context for. About 45 minutes in, I said, "Thanks for the info, but we're just going to look around." He left us, and then came back 45 seconds later!!!!!! I was like, "Can this guy not take a hint?" He chased us into the library, where we just wanted to thumb through some books on civil war history, and continued to talk to us, so we couldn't even look at the books. So annoying. Well-intentioned, I'm sure, and knowledgeable, but man... you kind of ruined it for us. I'd just suggest that you need to tell your curators to learn how to read people better and gauge interest. Not everyone wants to hear a stream-of-consciousness presentation of the entire Civil War for 90 minutes.

King Pin

U guys get a three

Joseph

Places like this are not appropriate. The people were very nice to me and they do have some interesting artifacts & guns but they traffic in all the usual tropes that the civil war had nothing to do with slavery. Contrary to what I was told, I don't think the people I talked to were particularly informed about the civil war. They were knowledgeable about some small details regarding people, places & equipment. They were also more focus on & informed regarding South Carolina specifically, which makes sense. When asked broad questions like "what caused the civil war" things become a little more awkward & scattershot. They talk a little about the Corwin Amendment but are not really clear regarding its importance (it seems to be an amendment to re-affirm that slavery is allowed in the constitution, a compromise Lincoln supported to avoid succession). They talk about the Morrill Tariff act and call it "taxation without representation" because the northern states had more population and therefore more votes. Also, they quote something H.L. Mencken wrote saying that Lincoln was immoral and that the northern victory was immoral because "In human history a moral victory is always a disaster, for it debauches and degrades both the victor and the vanquished." Finally, they have a lot of self-published books, one in particular extolling the South for standing for biblical authority and by rooting the North's motivations directly and only in economic motivations subtly tries to impugn the North and erase the fact that a lot of abolitionists were also motivated by their understanding of Christianity. All these small evasions, omissions & inaccuracies subtly re-paint history. America really needs to improve its education system because if children are educated by museums like this and the Ark Encounter in Kentucky, all these jigsaw pieces, pleasantly delivered under the color of authority, will fit together into a convincing new history.

Gregory Montgomery

Outstanding historical point for the Civl War. The staff was very informative. If you are a US history buff...... this is a must see!!!

Chasing Rainbows

Great place to go if you love history. The workers are very friendly and gave us a complete tour of the whole museum for free.

Donut Holer

Food collection of historical artifacts. Informative.

Jacob Chappell

Such an awesome place!

George Reedy

Make sure you take time to visit if you're in the area. The collection of firearms, uniforms, photos and period furniture is worth the trip. The real selling point is the curators. They're incredibly knowledgeable and so friendly. I could've spent hours talking to them and we'll be back soon!

Sally Wheeler

It provides accurate history of the war between the states. Lots of artifacts, a reference library and scv men to guide you and answer your questions.

Keith Carroll

South Carolina History in War has maid SC . All Wars since the Colonies have had South Carolinians involved . Just ask someone there they will send you to the right area you will see Flags , Weapons, and Clothing from that time period and much more.

Nina Chism

Love this place!! All About the real true history of America.

cathy garnett

Great place to visit

Anish Patel

This is a small museum, but it has so much to see inside. It is free so I left $10 in the bucket. Otherwise worth seeing, very friendly staff.

Tracy Smith

Great place to see history

Scott Tulk

Nicely displayed items. An the staff is very knowledgeable about South Carolina history!

James Whittingham

Impressive amount of memorabilia and information for a free museum.

Ronnie Janes

well done, small but very interesting

Judith Champion

Great, FREE museum with wonderful displays. Take the kids to get an idea as to local history and the people who made it.

Shane Clary

Loved it

Yanina Camden

Must visit. Volunteer stuff were dressed as Confederate soldiers and very informative.

Stephane Bedard

Je désire le visiter éventuellement

Robert Osborne

Very enjoyable museum about the civil war and Confederate soldiers.

Amy

A wonderful museum! This place is jam packed with history memorabilia, and so many artifacts. The displays are beautifully put together, and the staff goes above and beyond with taking the time to talk to you and basically give you a tour & background of everything. This was a great experience, and I'm very glad I took the time to check it out.

shayle bennett

Small but very interesting setting all the photos and relics

Nico Jones

It’s always good to know about the side that lost (and lost bad). History should teach everyone about those who were vanquished and annihilated. We can all thank The North for winning. We are clearly better for it.

Matt Crowley

The history inside this place is priceless.

Tee Jay

Awesome staff. If you love history this is the place to be!

Bubba K

My real name is Mark I took my family here for an educational experience. I have to say if you want to learn some real history from educated folks this is where you need to go. Friendly, welcoming people , respectful, factual information. Mike was very helpful to find my 6 great grandfather on the enlisted roster for me. I plan on returning they have a second national flag returning soon from a historic restoration facility that the smithsonian uses. Im not good at remembering dates but I am very interested in getting a look at it and a pic.

Deborah Coe

Full of information

Randy Dunn

I am very proud to have a museum here in Greenville that honors the integrity and valor of our Confederate/southern heritage. The artifacts and library are very informative and free to all!!! It is the responsibility of all Americans to carefully research and understand the true history of our country, and specifically our southern heritage (for those who live here in the South). Those who believe in 'political correctness' need to be educated from both Northern and Southern perspectives. What is taught in our public schools/colleges only provides one view...and that view is clouded and 'one sided'. I am very thankful for the museum and the ladies and gentleman who freely give their time to a worthy cause!

Billy Yancy

Very knowledgeable

Sarah Mynhier

Went here about a month ago and it was really awesome to see the history and learn some things as well. Staff was super friendly and knowledgeable, I cannot recommend it enough!!!

Jim Hopkins

Lot's of historical information as well as genealogy. Learn the true history of the conflict between South and North.

C S

The complementary Ribeye sandwiches and Onion Rings were amazing! Also the door prizes they give out are awesome!

Amanda Bright

Very knowledgeable curators. There is so much information and amazing artifacts on the Confederate history. Definitely be going back!!

Conner Chestnut

Got a fantastic free tour, informational and extremely interesting

Michael Barnes

The period collection is worthy of that which could be found in a much larger museum. The research room is worth the visit alone due to the many volumes of books and other written material. If you think of this museum as only pertaining to the Confederacy, you are short changing yourself. Here you will also find to a lesser extent the Union side covered as well. Once you have visited this museum, you will return and will be bringing along a friend to share it will them.

Barbara Keeton

Very informative..nice folks

Eric Taylor

Really cool and interesting.

Robin Baghaei

Nice guys run it.

Jason Robinson

Great historical place.to visit in Greenville, South Carolina.

Jodi Cape

Love this place lots of history

Kevin Martin

Loved the museum, if you are in greenville SC you need to make time to visit.

Gene Brooks

What a treasure

Robert C

This is a wonderful Museum of historical history. And it also teaches you a lot about the black history of the Confederacy which a lot of people need to learn! those who think the Confederate flag stands for hate obviously know nothing about the history of the Confederacy.

JoAnn Tebo

Nice little library and good resource center. The artifacts and stories are applicable to the region.

Johnny Fox

Yes ok ok

Tyler Threatt

Great place to visit and just look or get a tour. I really enjoyed it. Things in the museum they should teach in schools.

Shana L. Haas

Best pieces of Historical Southern artifacts and heritage that Greenville and SC has to offer, as well as a very knowledgeable staff.

Alex Brown

Can't hide our history! This place was great and had a lot of great info. My black kid learned a lot about his great great great grandpappy

Evan Duke

Fascinating place

Tina Farber

Really great museum and the staff was very helpful

Todd Ingram

Cool place for sure

Wilson Noland

Very informative, lots of artifacts, he let me handle a period musket he still hunts with! Great alternative perspective on national history.

Tom S Nobes

Alternative view of the civil war.

Jesse Graves

I'm not much of a history enthusiast but this museum was fantastic. So many interesting items and the staff is extremely knowledgeable and eager to tell you all about it. You can spend a couple hours here pretty easy.

Jeremiah Kassin

Great collection. Guide is incredibly revisionist, still believes the South should have won.

James C

Very informative. The gentleman there are very knowledgeable and courteous.

Judith Allen

If you have an avid interest in the history of the Confederacy, a visit to this museum is a worthwhile experience. They have a lot of Civil War Memorabilia that is worth seeing. They also have knowledgeable volunteers who are willing to show one around and answer questions.

Doug Holcombe

All 4 of us really enjoyed all the displays.Going again!

Taylor Dukes

I'm white and was offended by the thinly veiled racism in the place. Tried to have a conversation with the much older man working the place about my Senior Thesis as a history student at the University of South Carolina, and he went on a tirade about how he hates "political correctness" and told me I should say "negroes" instead of "African Americans". Absolutely not a safe space for people of color, and I'd imagine not for queer people; I certainly felt out of place there, even as a South Carolina-born white girl. They'll try to appear friendly to African Americans by exhausting the "faithful slave" and "black Confederate" narrative, which any modern historian knows is bunk (not saying they didn't exist, but certainly were not commonplace). What's sad is that the objects in this museum are extremely valuable, but the people interpreting them are not. This museum is connected to the Sons of Confederate Veterans, one of those Confederate memory-making groups that is often at odds with professional historians (people who have completed at least a Master's); I've actually had a conversation with other "public history people" (museum curators and professors) about how this example represents how private organizations can use material history to convey an agenda. People should be aware that this museum is not run by professional historians, but by Lost Cause-driven amateurs. Hopefully, the people who run this museum will finally retire, and these objects can be turned over to real historians who don't use the collections to glorify the antebellum South. Oh, and the literature at this place is a joke. Maybe people who haven't completed high school will be lured in by the romantic descriptions of dating life during the Civil War, but I personally found the lack of any citations from reputable primary or secondary sources telling. At least it was free. I would feel immoral giving money to such a distortion of history.

Stokes Music Studios

Knowledgeable staff, interesting stuff! Thanks! The Music Place