New England Civil War Museum in Rockville, Connecticut
Museum with a major rail exhibitHours and admission are posted on the museum's website
Housed in the Grand Army of the Republic hall where Rockville's Civil War veterans once met, the New England Civil War Museum connects visitors with the people of the Civil War era through their artifacts, letters and diaries.
- Original Grand Army of the Republic hall
- Building finished in 1890
- Self-guided Citizen Soldier tour
- Research library for genealogists
- Pioneers of Liberty exhibit
New England Civil War Museum at a glance
- Hours
- Posted on the museum's website
- Admission
- Posted on the museum's website
- Seasonal events
- Lecture series, Living history days
- Best for
- Civil War history fans, genealogists and older students
- Best ages
- Ages 9 and up
- Parking
- Directions and parking details are posted on the museum's website
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- Address14 Park Place, Vernon (Rockville), CT 06066(opens in a new tab)
- Phone(860) 870-3563
- Emailinfo@newenglandcivilwarmuseum.com
- Websitenewenglandcivilwarmuseum.com(opens in a new tab)
Follow New England Civil War Museum
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to New England Civil War Museum? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Rockville.
Rally Takes the Train
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Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
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A hall built by veterans, kept by their descendants
Rockville's Memorial Building was built between 1889 and 1890 as a monument to more than 350 local Civil War veterans. Thomas F. Burpee Post #71 of the Grand Army of the Republic, the veterans' own organization, held its meetings in the building's Grand Hall from 1890 until 1929, and the post founded the museum and library in 1896.
Today the museum and research center is administered by Alden Skinner Camp #45 of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Its collection has grown into one of the largest in southern New England, with Federal, Confederate and civilian gear, weapons, photographs, prints, manuscripts and uniforms, with an emphasis on the people of Connecticut and New England. The museum's Pioneers of Liberty exhibit tells the story of the 29th and 30th Connecticut Volunteer Colored Infantry regiments and of Black soldiers, sailors and civilians of the era. The museum does not describe a railroad exhibit on its website, so rail fans should ask staff what is on display.
Walking the veterans' rooms
The main tour is self-guided and follows the Citizen Soldier from life before the war, through enlistment and service, to life as a veteran. The route runs counter-clockwise through the Ante-Room and the Great Hall, where modern displays and interpretive visuals sit inside the same spaces where veterans held memorial rituals and business meetings. Letters and diaries let visitors hear soldiers describe the war in their own words, and the library holds hundreds of books and periodicals for researchers and family historians.
Don’t miss
- The Great HallThe room where Burpee Post #71 met from 1890 to 1929; you can stand where the veterans stood.
- Pioneers of LibertyThe exhibit on the 29th and 30th Connecticut Volunteer Colored Infantry and the Black men and women of the Civil War era.
- The research libraryHundreds of books and periodicals for genealogists and anyone tracing a Civil War ancestor.
Best for curious older kids
This is a history museum built around artifacts, letters and diaries rather than hands-on play, so it suits older children and teens who are studying the Civil War or curious about soldiers' lives. Living history days, when offered, are the most kid-friendly times to visit; check the events page for dates.
Plan your visit: tips for New England Civil War Museum
- Voice mails are picked up on Saturdays and Sundays, so email for faster replies on weekdays.
- Do not drop off donated objects without arranging it with collections staff first.
- If you are visiting for railroad history, ask staff ahead of time what rail material is on display.
The Sons of Union Veterans
The museum is administered by Alden Skinner Camp #45 of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, carrying on work begun by Burpee Post #71 in 1896. Visitors can help by touring the museum, attending lectures, and offering letters, journals, photographs or personal gear with Civil War provenance through the museum's donation form.
Trains near Rockville
For a ride on a real trolley, the Connecticut Trolley Museum is about 9 miles away and gives kids a ride on a vintage streetcar. The Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum is about 15 miles away in Willimantic. See every train museum in Connecticut for more.
- Connecticut Trolley MuseumEast Windsor, CT · about 9 mi
- Connecticut Eastern Railroad MuseumWillimantic, CT · about 15 mi
- Railroad Museum of New EnglandThomaston, CT · about 35 mi
- Essex Steam Train & Riverboat / Valley RailroadEssex, CT · about 36 mi
- Connecticut River Museum railroad-history exhibitsEssex, CT · about 36 mi
- Chester Railway Station & MuseumChester, MA · about 39 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
The museum is collecting the everyday things soldiers carried, like haversacks and canteens, and it made me think about what we choose to bring when we leave home. In our book, Rally packs just three things: his turtle toy, his green bone and his yellow ball. My mom dreamed up that little packing list, and it still feels like her. Our our story page tells how her idea became a book.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in Connecticut: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Connecticut
- Halloween train rides in Connecticut
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at New England Civil War Museum?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
- New England Civil War Museum official website(opens in a new tab)
- New England Civil War Museum on Facebook(opens in a new tab)
- New England Civil War Museum on Instagram(opens in a new tab)
- New England Civil War Museum on X(opens in a new tab)
- New England Civil War Museum on Tripadvisor(opens in a new tab)
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
New England Civil War Museum: 20 visitor questions
Where is the New England Civil War Museum?
The New England Civil War Museum is at 14 Park Place in Vernon, Connecticut 06066, in the historic village of Rockville. It occupies part of the Memorial Building, the hall built for local Civil War veterans. Directions and parking details are on the museum's website, and the phone number is (860) 870-3563.
What are the New England Civil War Museum hours?
The museum posts its current hours on the Hours and Admission page of its website. Check there before you go, since hours can change with the season and events. You can also call (860) 870-3563, but voice mails are picked up on Saturdays and Sundays, so email info@newenglandcivilwarmuseum.com for weekday questions.
How much is admission to the New England Civil War Museum?
Admission details are listed on the Hours and Admission page of the museum's website. Check there for current prices before your visit, or email info@newenglandcivilwarmuseum.com with questions about group visits, special tours or research visits to the library, since the museum's phone messages are only picked up on weekends.
Does the New England Civil War Museum have railroad exhibits?
The museum does not describe a railroad exhibit on its website; its displays focus on Civil War soldiers, veterans and their artifacts. If you are visiting for railroad history, email info@newenglandcivilwarmuseum.com before you go to ask what rail-related material, if any, is on display.
What is the New England Civil War Museum?
It is a museum and research center whose mission is to connect people today with the experiences and memories of the Civil War generation. Housed in an original Grand Army of the Republic hall, it holds one-of-a-kind artifacts with an emphasis on Connecticut and New England, plus a library for researchers.
Who founded the New England Civil War Museum?
The museum and library were founded in 1896 by Thomas F. Burpee Post #71 of the Grand Army of the Republic, the organization of Union veterans. Today it is administered by Alden Skinner Camp #45 of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
When was the Rockville Memorial Building built?
The Memorial Building in downtown Rockville was built between 1889 and 1890 as a monument to more than 350 local Civil War veterans. Burpee Post #71 held its meetings in the Grand Hall from 1890 until 1929, and the museum now fills those same rooms.
How does the tour work at the New England Civil War Museum?
The main tour is self-guided and follows the Citizen Soldier from before the war through military service to life as a veteran. It moves counter-clockwise through the Ante-Room and the Great Hall, mixing modern displays with the original rooms where veterans met.
What is in the New England Civil War Museum collection?
The collection includes Federal, Confederate and civilian accoutrements, weapons, photographs, prints, manuscripts and uniforms, along with letters and diaries. It is described as one of the largest Civil War collections in southern New England, with a focus on Connecticut and New England people.
What is the Pioneers of Liberty exhibit?
Pioneers of Liberty tells the history of the 29th and 30th Connecticut Volunteer Colored Infantry regiments and the lives of Black soldiers, sailors and civilians of the Civil War era. It is one reason the museum is listed as a site on the Connecticut Freedom Trail.
Can I research my Civil War ancestor at the museum?
Yes. The library and research center holds hundreds of books and periodicals for genealogists, researchers and anyone interested in the Civil War. Email info@newenglandcivilwarmuseum.com before your visit to ask about library access and what records might help with your search.
Is the New England Civil War Museum good for kids?
It works best for older children and teens with an interest in history, since the museum centers on artifacts, letters and diaries rather than hands-on play. Living history days, when scheduled, are the most engaging time to bring younger visitors. Check the events page for dates.
Does the New England Civil War Museum hold events?
Yes. The museum runs an ongoing lecture series and living history days, listed on the events page of its website when scheduled. It also links to events held by the South Central and Shoreline Civil War Roundtables for people who want more programs.
Can I donate Civil War items to the museum?
The museum welcomes offers of donations, especially letters, journals, photographs and personal gear like haversacks, gun belts and canteens. Submit details through the online form or email info@newenglandcivilwarmuseum.com with the subject Object Donation. It does not accept walk-in donations or items unrelated to the Civil War.
Is the New England Civil War Museum wheelchair accessible?
The museum does not describe accessibility on its main visitor pages. Because it is in an 1890 building with upstairs meeting rooms, contact info@newenglandcivilwarmuseum.com or call (860) 870-3563 before your visit to ask about access.
Where do I park for the New England Civil War Museum?
Parking information is on the Directions and Parking page of the museum's website. The museum is at 14 Park Place in downtown Rockville, so check that page before you go so you know where to leave your car.
How long should I spend at the New England Civil War Museum?
The museum does not suggest a visit length. The self-guided tour through the Ante-Room and Great Hall can be taken at your own pace, and visitors who read the letters and diaries closely or use the library will want extra time.
Can I take a virtual tour of the New England Civil War Museum?
The museum's website offers a 3D tour of a past museum exhibit, which gives a sense of the rooms before you visit. Its Facebook and Instagram pages also share photos and updates on exhibits and events.
How can I contact the New England Civil War Museum?
Call (860) 870-3563, keeping in mind that voice mails are picked up on Saturdays and Sundays, or email info@newenglandcivilwarmuseum.com for general questions. The website also has a contact form, and the museum is active on Facebook, Instagram and X.
What train museums are near the New England Civil War Museum?
The Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Windsor is about 9 miles away, and the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum in Willimantic is about 15 miles. The Railroad Museum of New England and the Essex Steam Train are each about 35 to 36 miles away.
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