National Museum of Civil War Medicine

National Museum of Civil War Medicine

National Museum of Civil War Medicine
4.5
Military MuseumsSpeciality MuseumsHistory Museums
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The National Museum of Civil War Medicine is the premier center for the study and research of medical innovation during the American Civil War. Exhibits, programs lecture and research facilities look at innovations in science, medical logistics, medical organization, nursing, civilian medical relief and much more.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles473 reviews
Excellent
267
Very good
179
Average
21
Poor
3
Terrible
3

Bennett S
4 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Couples
Small museum, and both interesting and detailed on the specific subject matter. However, I had a friend visiting from another country and for the price, $18 for 2, she thought it was high compared to the National Air and Space Museum and the National Gallery of Art which are both huge and completely free. Don't think I will return. Honestly, unless you are a civil war buff, it was a little boring.
Written March 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We're sorry you didn't feel you got the best value for your money. If you ever come by again, we would love to give you a guided tour to help the subject come alive a bit more for you. We might be a smaller organization than the Smithsonian (we are a private non-profit), but we feel the story of Civil War medicine can be as impactful if given the chance.
Written March 5, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

deebug2470
Pittsburgh, PA3,427 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
While staying in nearby Herndon, Va we did a day trip to see this museum. It was well worth it. It’s located in a quaint little town. Our tour was self-guided for the most part but a guide takes the elevator to the top with you. After that he gives you information and explains the museum. As you go room to room working your way down to the main floor he was with us in the room to answer questions and some rooms spoke to our group explaining things.
Written November 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Barbara_A462
Washington DC, DC77 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2021
What a cool little museum. Privately owned, lovingly curated. There was so much to see and read, it took about 2 hours to go through. The exhibits provided not only a good history of medicine during the war, but also interesting information about medical schools, education of women, and descriptions of nursing at the time. Well worth a visit.
Written April 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

James M
Milton Keynes, UK244 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Couples
The museum was in the centre of Frederick town. Exhibits were informative and innovative and dispelled many Civil War myths relating to treatment of casualties in 1860 to 65. Staff were knowledgeable and friendly. A gem of a museum
Written September 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Travelmaint
Princeton, Illinois310 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022
This our first visit to this museum, which was recommended to us by highway Welcome Center staff. It's right in Frederick, so it's a bit congested in the area. We found it to be very interesting/informative, and really put a perspective on Civil War medical care, and advancements that were made because of it. It also dispelled the myth(s) about medical "butchery", and how/why things were done back then. We would recommend a visit if you're in the area.
Written October 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tanner12oz
pittsburgh147 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
very affordable with a ton of information. i spent a solid 2 hours here and had to leave cuz they were closing. i would say not great for kids cuz it was alot of reading but if your into medicine, civil war or simply information its a great place.
Written August 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cynderella43
Fort Lauderdale, Florida538 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2017 • Family
We were visiting Frederick and went to this museum after seeing it highlighted on Mysteries At The Museum.

The Museum is two-stories and is laid out in a manner that is easy to follow. It depicts the trials and tribulations of trying to save the soldiers of the Civil War. You get a good sense of the pain and suffering the soldiers must have endured, especially all the amputations they performed without any anesthesia...ouch!

It also highlights such stars as Carla Barton, who founded the American Red Cross, Harriett Tubman,various other African American Nurses, multiple surgeons, and the unsung heroes of the war.

It was very well done and easy to follow along. I would highly recommend it if you are in the area or a Civil War buff.

PS - If this review was useful, please click the HELPFUL button on your phone or you can click the THANK YOU button on your computer. I'd appreciate it! :-D
Written August 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

fiestylady
Long Island, NY192 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I Visited Frederick a few weeks ago and stopped by to see this museum since there was nothing to do in the town itself. Im glad that I did. My friends and I were totally enthralled with this place. If your a big Civil War buff you will definately enjoy this museum. Lots of reading so be prepared! It will take you some time to go through the exibits, but its so worth it! So many things I never knew about Civil War medicine. I definately recommend this place while visiting Frederick.
Written August 20, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

rick k
Horsham, Pennsylvania, United States12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Couples
My wife and I arrived earlier than necessary in Frederick for a planned event and had several hours to fill. We came across this museum and it ended up being the highlight of our visit. We spent about 90 minutes and found the museum to be really well focused on teaching visitors about Civil War medicine, with no political or moral agenda. Exhibits are comfortable to observe and read, and one can learn a great deal in a short visit.
Written May 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Shawn H
Washington DC, DC413 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022
This small museum in downtown Frederick lays out the concepts of Civil War Medicine (along with one small exhibit tying that to modern battlefield care). It spreads over two floors and includes some civil war dioramas. You can probably manage the whole museum pretty well in less than 2 hours for a reasonable price. There's also a gift shop - though we didn't find anything we needed there (other than a tasty blackberry cream soda).

The museum is particularly focused on dispelling a few key myths (that civil war medics didn't use anesthesia, that amputations were done because of ignorance), on highlighting the history of women and Black Americans in civil war medicine, and on emphasizing the value of vaccines. It also liberally uses excerpts from civil war letters and diaries.

While its a small museum, it was a pleasant learning experience for awhile
Written March 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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National Museum of Civil War Medicine, Frederick

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