Today I received an extremely detailed, 24-page document outlining The National Civil War Life Museum and Research Center Project Plan. As some of you may know, I sit on the NCWLF board and developed the foundation’s website. Recently, I was able to secure the endorsement and fund raising support of Civil War painter Mort Kunstler.

Of all of the projects that I am fortunate enough to be a part of, this is by far the biggest. And the fact that I will have some part in the establishment of a museum that my grandchildren will visit is a blessing beyond words.

The current board of directors consists of nine members from diverse experience, ethnic and gender backgrounds. These include: military, education, banking, financial, legal, historical research, writing and fundraising. Visit our website here.

I am also an exhibit advisor and have been assigned to review the Home Front, Militia, Life in Camp and Field Music exhibits and advise the design consultants. The descriptions of the exhibit spaces are outstanding and although I am not at liberty to share the exact details of this project, I will say that the list of advising experts is quite impressive.

This includes Col. Horace McCaskill Jr., Jeff Campbell, Terry Thomann, Robert Zeller, Daniel S. Goldstein, John Cummings, John Hennessy, Glenn Williams, Dr. Robert R. Mackey, George Wunderlich, Joyce Henry, Robert S. Driscoll, Kevin Hershberger, John H. Thillmann, Al Connor, John Richter, Scott Harper, Dean Levy, David Lenk, Randi Korn, Johanna Jones, Stephanie Downey, and ACE Everett.

Our mission statement says: To operate an inclusive national museum and research center that preserves and interprets the human story of the American Civil War and connects the lives of all people of that era to the Nation today.

Our vision is: We will achieve our mission by building the National Civil War Life Museum in Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia. This facility will be home to The Civil War Life Museum, The War in Photography and The Civil War Remembrance exhibits. The museum will offer excellent Civil War Study Tours to youth and school groups. The facilities will also include a 100-seat theater for our unique Civil War Life in 3-D theater program, a research library and study center, a conference center and a rotating exhibit gallery.

Stay tuned for updates.