Reviews Civil War Museum (Museum) in Wisconsin

Mike Mead

Good displays and well organized. The movie, Seeing the Elephant is excellent.

Anthony Plegge

My sister- in-law liked it.

Rusty Frost

Absolutely loved it. Very unique Museum. It is actually Interactive. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommended it.

Alicia Ryan

My family loves going to visit the local museums when they come see me and this is my little brother's absolute favourite. In the Civil War exhibit, there's a 360° movie that I've now seen at least three times all the way through and a couple times some of the way through, but every time I see it, I see something new. If flashing lights or gunfire cause reactions for you, you're better off avoiding the movie, but there's still plenty to see. I loved the parts that focused on medicine in the 1860s. There is an entrance fee and it'll be more if you're not a Kenosha resident. The gift shop has some amusing gifts but also period-appropriate pieces, like hat pins, for instance. There's a huge parking lot and it's right on the lake within walking distance of more entertainment and food. I think my absolute favorite room was the library upstairs. My daughter's favorite place was probably the balcony upstairs - outside. Beautiful views of the lake (with a picturesque lighthouse straight ahead) and a great place for her to get out some "wiggles," as she says.

Michelle Maiochi Mazon

A fantastic place, with real size statues of people feeling like they are interacting to tell you part of the history. The kids enjoyed as well the parents!

Tim Adams

A very nice museum. Great artifacts. Good movie...

David Heinz

Nice facility, with at least two days of displays and information to read and assimilate.

cody deglandon

Wasn't to bad. They had quite a bit of artifacts from the Civil War, but was kinda let down by what they didn't have. Still something cool to do to waste a little time

Ellie M

Its a very interesting place to visit and learn about the civil war in our local area.

Cynthia Nelson

Today we visited the museum to attend the Radio Girls "RGP" of "The Magnificent Ambersons" old time radio show. The cast was excellent. We loved to watch the cast but our favorite part is the Foley artist performing all the sound effects. Please go to this group's productions. It will be an entertaining and nostalgic time.

jose lopez

Don't miss out on visiting this gem if you're in Kenosha. Some parts of the museum have a fee but well worth it. The 360 'movie' "Seeing the elephant" was great! And on a nice day don't miss the top level where you can step outside and see beautiful Lake Michigan

Marli Lopez

A superb and stunning museum. Magnificent!

David Reber

A wonderful Civil War collection in Wisconsin, well worth spending some time here.

PeterC

A hidden gem. If you're a Civil War aficionado, this is the place to see great artifacts of the times. Full of history & Wisconsin's place in the conflict, visitors can view a state-of-the-art 360° surround film that is the centerpiece of the permanent exhibit. The open rooftop venue is perfect for summer lunches or weddings with fantastic views of Lake Michigan. Library, gift shop & meeting rooms make this a perfect multi-function facility.

Peter Ress

Wonderful museum

Wayne Burke

Great experience...one drawback is its very difficult to read the items in the showcase due to the lighting turn down inside the cases. However that wouldn't stop me from returning.

luis salazar

Proudly

Mitchell Noble

Excellent look at the civil war from the Midwestern perspective. Plenty of artifacts and interactive exhibits that bring the war to life for a modern audience.

Logan Kucharek

I had a spectacular visit. The museum is a refreshing new take on what museums should be. My experience was immersive and eye opening, and I would reccomend this place to anyone young or old, newcomer or avid historian.

Kevin Bain

Decent local museum. Great video experience.

SuperJo9999

It was a good experience the people at the front desk were helpful. I wish there was more artifacts though.

Al Litwiller

Wonderful civil war museum showing the contributions of midwestern states

Kelly Simpson

Really cool place.

Mark Rossmann

Interesting history

Mike Drew

So much more than I expected. Great exhibits and relics.... a very interactive museum that you walk through trains camps and towns.

Paula Agee

Very informative. Veey thought out displays.

Mike Stegenga

Neat place to check out for 9 bucks. Well worth our trip from illinois.

Jessica Repati

This was a great museum for a good price. It is $9 for a non-resident adult. The main museum is laid out well and packed with so much information. I liked the circular style with the progression from pre civil war to post civil war. One of the best features were the "people" who talk to you. The railcar was a huge highlight for me and very cool to see. The movie that played in the center was also very good. I liked the gift shop which had more unique items then one would expect. The staff was all very helpful and pleasant. They even had a reenactment camp outside with people in the tent.

Traci Colbert

Very interesting place to visit

Jonni Rose Luke

Not much to see. Overpriced for what you get out of it. Typical small city museum. Not much authentic historical stuff .. mostly reproductions. Lots of weird talking mannequins in period clothing.

Emily Ann

Be prepared to pay to walk through. It isn't the most exciting place, but kids enjoy it and the gift shop has some neat finds!

Jessica Eiche

This is great museum for a history class or just by yourself. There is so much information to take in all in one visit, I recommend going multiple times.

David Marin

It was a great place to visit with the family. Love the history.

Veronica Garcia

I would recommend this Museum. Very cool and the video they show is in a room where the screen wraps around the whole room. Loved it.

Teresa De La Garza

We went to the museum on a whim. It is very family oriented and cozy. We spent a little over an hour with our 9 month old stopping at most of the windows. Staff was very helpful and friendly. I would highly recommend this museum for a school field trip or just a family outing. The information was also great. I had a nice little history lesson.

Stephen Miller

I admit it. I'm a Civil War reenactor. Sergeant, Company E, 6th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry of the famous Iron Brigade. Of course, I love this place. I finally took my wife to this museum. She's a Texas gal; and has been trying to cultivate an interest in the Civil War. She was really impressed with the place; and enjoyed the exhibits. Sitting in a train car and listening to the other "passengers tell their stories. The in-the-round theater shows a 360 degree panoramic movie called "Seeing the Elephant". It is loosely based on the Battle of Brawner's Farm. It is an intense and moving presentation. When it was over my wife was tearing up. As a matter of fact, I have noticed that most people are misty eyed after watching this movie. Me, too, tough guy that I am. There is a really good research library. If you are a Civil War buff this place is a must for you. If you are not, it is still a very interesting place to spend a couple of hours. This is a top-of-the-line museum. Kenosha should be proud. Make sure you take the time. You will be impressed.

Diane Smietana

Really first class museum!! Lots to see & experience. Would recommend

Jamie Tumbrink

Not too much to it, but if you are down there it doesn't hurt to stop in. There was a main exhibit for $5, but we just did the free portion.

Katrin Matoga

It was interesting indeed!

Ama Capaul

This was an amazing museum. Lots ans lots of interactive history. I'm so glad that I got the chance to go and hope to go again soon.

Giselbert Parkhurst

Educational museum that delves into how the Midwest impacted the Civil War. Admission to the museum is donation-based; however, there is a charge for the 360 degree movie and exceptional exhibits featuring Civil War artifacts. It is well worth the charge. There is a gallery (currently featuring civil rights - summer, 2019) and research library on the 2nd floor.

Colleen Dyer

What a great venue for our wedding ceremony! The location was absolutely beautiful with views of the lake from the terrace. In addition to the wonderful location, Kristine and Brenda were amazing! Kristine was amazing with communication leading up to the wedding, including making changes for me as we neared the wedding date. During the rehearsal and ceremony Brenda was absolutely amazing, helping us and working with the photographer to get the terrace set. I would so highly recommend going with the museum for events! Definitely contact them as they have a variety of options for all event sizes!

Ronald Riggs

Phenomenal!

Sunny Breezes

Beautiful building, could better with more exhibits

Joshua Beck

We did not go through the main exhibit when we visited. However, they do have a few small exhibits available free of charge and a library of Civil War history. Some activities are available for children in the library, I believe. The facility is clean and the staff was friendly. It was worth the visit, and we didn't even go through the main exhibit.

Scott Thacker

This place was awesome. If you're a history person and love to learn about events that shaped our country then this is the place for you to visit. Would definitely visit again and would definitely recommend to anyone.

Richard Gayan

Good local history for a small museum. Somewhat confusing in route to take once inside. Don't expect to be at Gettysburg, but all in all worth it

Mrs. P Owens

Staff didn't make me and family very welcomed. But museum was interesting.

Tara J. Wickersheim

Excellent experience! Very informative and lifelike. 360 movie was awesome!

Heather H

Very, very awesome museum! Reasonably priced entrance fee. There are maniquins set up that will tell you their story of the war. Very educational and entertaining.

Betsy Hastings

Love this Museum and all the wonderful programs it offers!

John S

I managed to get there when there was nobody there, so I had the place to myself which was nice. The exhibits were good. The museum was a tad small, but had a lot of content for its size. My only complaint is that the lighting was dim enough that I was having a little trouble reading the plaques. Other than that, well worth the price! I also enjoyed the fact that they had historical books in the gift shop, not just the normal run of the mill coffee cups and t-shirts. They had those two, but they also had a decent variety for a good price.

Tony Hendrickson

Very interesting and informative.

Bert Unsinn

Good place

Lyle B

I enjoyed visiting and seeing their perspective on the Civil War. This was my first visit to a museum related to the Civil War from a northern state. All other exhibits I previously visited were in southern states. The change of perspective was interesting. They have a 360 degree theater for a short movie. I recommend seeing it at least twice since you have to keep turning to view it.

Bob John

Historic

Brian Paveza

Really fun, unique place. Great to take kids 5 - 15. The intetactive mannequins might be a little scary for littler kids. Well worth the price of admission. Enjoyed the 360° film and exhibits. Very informative.

Wendy Klein

Fantastic 360 video experience, and lots of great information and artifacts about how the Civil War, particularly its affect on Midwesterners of the time.

Christian Kuntz

Very nice museum centered around Wisconsin's contribution to the civil war. Provides some information about adjacent state's contribution to the war.

Ryan Scott

Lived in Kenosha for 12 years, yet this was my first visit to this Museum. Though small, I was pleasantly surprised with the facility and the quality of the exhibits. The activities for the kids were a great bonus!

Josh K

It was an interesting stop, very informational, a place for adults, children would have a much better time anywhere else. Very clean, staff was friendly.

Jessica Kappl

Great for a field trip. My daughter's class just finished learning about the Civil War and came here on a field trip. The guides were great and kept the kids interest.

Trevor Mumm

Neat concept of a museum. They have you walk around in a circle and the way it is organized is unique. There is also a video in the middle part of the tour which depicted the soldiers perspective of the war. If you are a history nerd or want to burn some time this is a good place for you. There is plenty of interesting information around the war and specifically the role Racine played in it.

beverly jandura

Liked it. Well done.

Shawn Carpenter

We arrived just before closing time but they still let us quickly walk through. Much appreciated :)

Gus Var

Displays and exhibits are falling apart.. The train and people exhibit tags are coming off..

B. Hartig

Very nice and interactive museum. They have a huge movie experience as well as a library. Kids can dress up and play games. Everything is really well labeled and the information is interesting.

Leo's Builders LLC

The kids enjoyed the displays.

Chris Temby

Great displays & content especially for a small town museum.

Jodi Kimpel

Went there with my fiance, very educational

Jennifer Leeds

Excellent museum, even if The Civil War is not your "thing", I went because my husband is a history buff and he is very interested in The Civil War history. I truly enjoyed the visit, captured my attention with displays, scenes, and extremely interesting facts, etc. that would interest anyone. Even children would enjoy the visit with enjoyable interactive areas and displays just for kids. I am disabled and use a walker occasionally, more often a wheelchair, the staff was amazingly helpful getting me into the wheelchair elevator to see a civil war movie on a raised platform. The aisles are wide and surface is wheelchair or walker friendly. I don't get out often and always try to make my time out worth it, this was definitely worth it. Due to my pain we had to leave before enjoying the museum in its entirety and we hope to go back again when circumstances allows.

Ray Forgianni

Classy museum. Great exhibits. Like walking through a diorama

Patricia Simmons

Everything was laid out beautifully. I didn't think they would have all the artifacts they have. Very informative.

Thomas Hames

Very informative and professionally designed.

keegan suski

It great we learnt history and we watched a movie about what it was like during that time.

Steve rice

Lots of information displayed in newspaper form... Many amazing facts and stories ...I truly was able to feel the heartbreak and turmoil... The theater in the round was great and the life size talking dioramas were brought it home for me.

Emily Carr

A great interactive museum! I thoroughly enjoyed the short time I was able to spend there, and think it is great for all ages.

Jon Martens

Kenosha's Civil War Museum is quite good. The main exhibit does require paid admission, however you will likely be satisfied by it. Smaller exhibits and cases do not require admission, and change regularly. There is a research room, however you should call and reserve an appointment. If you expect to walk in, you will likely be disappointed. From the perspective of a museum worker, they are limited by the space and the expense of their main exhibit so don't expect significant changes from visit to visit. They are, however, excellent stewards of their collections, as are all of the museums in Kenosha.

Charlie Villarreal

This place is so cool. It has neat exhibits, and a ton of information. If you're interested at all in American history, this place is a must to visit. They have military uniforms, cannons, weapons, etc.. from the era, as well as a neat little gift shop in the front. My only regret is that i decided to go a bit too late in the day so i didn't have as much time to meander as i would have liked.

Lacy Schermerhorn

My kids loved it there

Capt. Tom Pataska

Excellent museum...great staff

Jeanne Sanchez

It is a fun and interactive museum. I always learn something new and I have been there over 20 times.

Dan Sprouse

Great place, quite a lot of information.

Vincent Basile

Totally awesome! There were a couple of museums and all of them were really cool. We're coming back with the kids

Jumaane Henry

Excellent experience and was only $5!

Madaline Bolanos

Lots of interesting artifacts!

Kory Heal

Very professional and informative. Interactive and engaging

Donna Agnelly

Always a great place to visit. Check out their programs and visit the Fiery Trial. Watch the excellent 360 degree film and tell your friends!

Tonia Cox

A fabulous museum!!! Very impressed!!! Informative and fun. Lived the life sized re-created scenes.

Sean Bellinger

Great venue for weddings

John Teevan

WONDERFUL gem. So interesting.

Michelle Minisan

Sooooo worth the trip!! There's a lot to see and do. The Red Canoe ladies were there and were totally awesome!! Great gift shop. Just excellent!!

boblin omondi

Attended a wedding reception here and the staff at the premises were kind to us. I hope to go some other day and visit the museum.

Keri Cruse

Very educational!

Mark Lubecke

Very interesting, worthwhile to anyone wanting to know more about our history!

scott stassen

Great gift shop

Mark S

NOT family friendly! Took my 10 year old daughter and 8 month old son here today to pay homage to Independence Day. Went to the ‘resource center’ which is supposed to be the only kid friendly area of the museum. Within 30 seconds of entering we told my 8 month old son, who CANT WALK that he is violating the required shoes policy. Spoke to Peggy the assistant curator about my concerns all she did was reiterate the policy. I mean he was in a stroller and having shoes wouldn’t protect him anyway. Stay away if you have children unless you want to deal with some ridiculous people ...

Tim MacMurdo

Great storytelling reminds one of the cause and effect even as far as the midwest.

Margaret Christian

Saw reenactors of the 17th medical regiment, I may have all but the number incorrect. They were an extremely knowledgeable group of people. They knew about their own aspect of field hospital work and they were cross trained as well, they could cover for one another answering questions. The costumes were made to meet period expectations. They offered a lot of information about medical care in the 1860's including the fact that germs weren't known about until shortly after the Civil War. There were examples of tools used and medicines used as well as how pills were made back then. They also gave examples of surgeries and even an embalming. We saw examples of ration kits given to soldiers and got an idea of how much they lived off of the land to supplement their rations. It was not an easy life. It was pointed out that the simple things that nurturers do was one ofthe most important things to make recovery possible for the soldiers. Simply changing the sheets and putting cool cloths on fevered brows worked wonders. Got people feeling better and reduced fevers, not to mention that those as yet unheard of germs were being moved along. When the bandages were washed for reuse they were hung out in the sun to dry and the ultraviolet rays from the sun gave them more sterilization past the soapy water had done. Without anyone knowing it they had killed germs. Sorry, I did enjoy learning things there. Even without the 17thpeople there the museum has a lot to offer. There are displays that show how real the war was for the people. Children playing nearby, families picnicing around the battlefield. I couldn't imagine taking in a war that casually; even back then, how could you be certain that you would not become a casualty?

Maxwell Anthony Tegen

Great service and great quality to see and represent Kenosha County

SHANE PEIK

Very well laid out museum with excellent artifacts!

Judy Gorter

Learned alot about the civil war and how people lived . Very interesting also alot of information.. Please plan for two to three hours at the Civil War Museum.

Richard Osterholtz

Good for young kids

Jeff Stone

Great collection and information.

Stacey Thieme

Beautiful museum! Went here for a Girl Scout event and will definitely come back.

David Weiser

I was at the Civil War Museum for professional development meeting. We had two guest speakers and we were given team time to work. The accommodations were nice. The room was comfortable and technology used by the presenters worked. The wifi signal was strong. We had view of the Kenosha harbor from our large meeting room. It was a great place for a workshop.

Jon Lindemann

Loved it. They did a fine job.

Michael Mass

Very nice museum

David Kent

A great educational interactive experience. Take the kids.

Stefan Daubner

Very friendly staff and interesting exhibition. The 360 movie was really nice. BR, Two Swedish tourists

Stephen Dye

Must see

Mike P

Hey, you have to know our past.

Angela Verbon-Mosgaller

Wonderful experience. Staff was very professional and knowledgeable!

Marilyn Garlie

Great place lot's of cool stuff!!!

Erika Bennett

My son and I love going here. The exhibit is well worth the couple of dollars!

Thomas K Schmitt

Well executed museum with amazing exhibits. Be sure to keep turning around in the 360 movie experience. Very moving.

Marsha Turner

I was in Wisconsin for a worship conference and my son took me the museum. I need to back again because I never made upstairs to see the World War I part of the museum and it's connection to the Civil War. It is a wonderful museum and be sure to catch the film.

Joseph Millsaps

Great venue for a wedding. Beautiful views and great space

Catherine K

We took out-of-town family here to learn more about American history. Admission prices were very reasonable. We spent a little over 2 hours at the museum. The museum had appropriate exhibits for children and hands-on learning opportunities. The entire family enjoyed the 360 degree movie. We learned a lot and recommend a visit. There is also a complimentary civil war library available.

Jackie Miller

Awesome history and visual experience. Lots to learn

Matthew Sanders

Such a fun and educational museum. Highly recommend anyone who is interested in the civil war check it out!

Carla Brown

This museum was great. If you are a Civil War buff, I definitely recommend a visit. Located in Kenosha WI.

Quin O'Brien

A wealth of information. The displays are some of the best I've ever seen. I spent 2 complete hours enjoying this museum.

Don Trudeau

Very informative place if you are interested in the Civil War. There is a small free section, but the main exhibition that shows a short film cost $9.00 The building sits on a beautiful location right on the shores of Lake Michigan and during the weekends, it had a great farmers market with other vendors as well. There was also a 1800's style sailing ship parked in the river inlet that offered a 90 min sailing tour on Lake Michigan for $20 which seemed like a real bargain. I would have taken it, but I get sea sick to easily :(. A great way to spend a day with the family.

Tom Van Engen

Excellent museum with lots of interesting and important information about the Civil War, nice staff, too.

John Wrobel

Very nice museum for a small city, display were really well done and 360 movie was fascinating

Steve H.

Wow! This museum tells the story of the Civil War form the perspective of the involvement of seven upper Midwest States. The displays help to bring life to the stories. The story being told is captivating. This is one of the best Civil War museums. I highly recommend a visit.

Gwen Penniston

Clean, beautiful gift shop. Interesting, courteous staff.

Lisa K

Awesome place to visit and a great tribute

Tyler Borshell

Great bathroom to use during Pokémon go community day, the front desk was very nice

Jakub Fadrowski

Cool artifacts and great info.

Diane Waldow

Learned alot on our visit here- highly recommended!

Ted Mall

Great, balanced and factual perspective of a sad era in US history. Scores of hands on exhibits, library, gift shop and a conference room etc make it a comprehensive facility. Well assembled and curated collection. Reasonable entrance fee. A unique museum for a northern state in the US. Popular for school field trips. Very nice educational experience.

Deb Gaughan

Display cases are too dark to see and read

Mark

Very thorough and extensive exhibits describing how the mid-west States were involved in the Civil War. We spent over 2 hours.

Todd O'keefe

This museum is one of the many in downtown kenosha that can teach us so much about our history and provides a great place for the kids to learn.

Matt Glaman

First time going to this museum even though it has been opened for years. And it is totally worth the cost. The production quality is great, and works to tell a detailed story of our nation's history. I appreciate that it tells the direct story and doesn't skew to one story or another.

Patmàŕie Bàiley

Well designed & documented museum. Worth your time.

Dave A.

Cool Museum lots of stuff to look at and learn about. Very pleasent view of Lake Michigan from the second floor.

H ST

Excellent research center upstairs, spent a lot of time reading actual hand written letters of WI soldiers during the war, very interesting to get a soldiers perspective of why they were involved in the war. Prolly different than u imagined.

Jennifer Class

Very informative. Good movie. Kids enjoyed

Jeff Kocar

Educational museum delves into how the Civil War was impacted by the Midwestern states. Admission to the museum is donation-based, but there is a charge for the Inspirational 360 degree movie exhibits featuring Civil War artifacts. A research library and separate gallery (currently featuring a civil rights exhibit - summer 2019) occupy the 2nd floor. Could spend a lot of time if you're reading and studying each exhibit. Young children will probably get bored very quickly.

Alek Ibarra

Name says it all

Cynthia Kolb

Nice and clean good service

Pam Lopes

Nice new exhibits

John Adamowski

Great source of information regarding the Midwest contribution to the Civil War

Gerald Alsvig

Went 6/8/19 Displayed very well. Clean restrooms. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers to answer questions. Easily located by lake and Metra. Would have liked better signs on #158 from #94. Focus is on upper Midwestern units and less on Virginia like other civil war museums. Nice reference library with civil war magazines and books to look at. Nice assortment of artifacts including weapons.

Paul Lehman

Fun to know about history

Ryan Hollingsworth

Beautiful Wedding on Rooftop

Jean White

This is a wonderful museum to bring students as part of their Civil War unit at school. The instructors are very knowledgeable and the program they created for the kids is very good. The 360 degree theater was amazing! I also love going to the gift shop for the unique items they get from WI crafters and businesses.

Cindy Myhre

Some of the displays didn't have lights. The lay out is a little confusing.

Angelica Keating Aguilar

Had an extremely wonderful experience visiting the exhibit. The staff was so welcoming and I left the exhibit with a warm heart.

ken knutson

Walked in unexpectedly and was presently surprised. $9 for non Wisconsin residents $5 for Wisconsin residents however there are free parts of the museum which were very much enjoyed. I recommend it

Roger Bohn

This is one of a museum complex in nearby Kenosha, Wisconsin...just a few minutes to the north of Chicago, and it is very worthwhile to make the trip .

Kathy Jager

There is so much information on the Civil War, memorabilia, and a 360 degree movie that takes you into the lives of some of the people living and fighting the Civil War. Great place!!

Margot Jackson

Always very informative, great displays, love the 360 movie, and enjoy the walking tour with mannequins. The library has and amazing amount of info.

Carla Hanson