Discover the Sacrifice and Service of U.S. Military Chaplains in Wartime

The Chaplains Museum will be closed Monday, April 1 in observance of the Easter holiday. 

National Civil War Chaplains Museum

Throughout American history, military chaplains have exemplified servant leadership in the midst of the challenges of division and war as they worked to meet the spiritual needs of men and women in uniform.

 

Located on the campus of Liberty University, the Chaplains Museum features an extensive collection of objects and artifacts that tell the stories of U.S. military chaplains in the camp, on the battlefield, and among prisoners of war. Visitors will learn how chaplains from diverse backgrounds have used a variety of means and methods to carry out their ministry during times of war.

About

Serving with a Unique Purpose

Founded in 2005 as a private organization, the Chaplains Museum is now part of the History Department at Liberty University. Our mission is to showcase the service of U.S. Military Chaplains throughout American history through historical research and the collection and preservation of related artifacts.

The museum also functions as a student laboratory for research, exhibit design, collections care, and special projects.

The Chaplains Museum:

  • Collects, preserves, and studies objects and documents related to military chaplains
  • Encourages student research in topics related to religion in wartime, specifically in the context of military chaplains and their ministry
  • Presents programs that highlight the role of chaplains and military service in shaping the spiritual lives of those who serve in the armed forces

As part of the History Department at Liberty University, the Chaplains Museum has become an active learning laboratory for students.

Plan Your Visit to the Chaplains Museum

Monday through Friday 12:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Summer Hours (June, July, August)
Monday, Thursday, Friday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The museum is located in the Jerry Falwell Library on Liberty University’s Campus. Learn more about our location and parking.

Exhibits

Devoted to Service

Historically, U.S. military chaplains have performed many roles. They have preached, acted as personal counselors, cared for the sick and dying, handled military postal services, administered literacy programs, and in some cases even joined in battle. View the following exhibits and more at the Chaplains Museum.

Explore All Exhibits
Introducing the Chaplaincy: A History of Service
Shiloh Chapel: Religion and the Bible in Times of War
Partners in Service: Service Organizations Partnering With Chaplains
Service to the Suffering: Chaplains' Ministry in the Hospitals and Prison Camps
Diversity in Service: Unifying With a Common Purpose
Service on the Battlefield: Chaplains in the Midst of Battle
Service on the Homefront: Chaplains Ministry to the Families of Service Members
Chaplains in the Service of the Gospel: Evangelism in the Military

Take the accessible-friendly route to the Chaplains Museum.

Location

Getting to the Museum

The Chaplains Museum can be found on the terrace level of the Jerry Falwell Library. The Library’s main exterior entrance is located at the southern end of the Academic Lawn.

Visitor parking passes are required daily excluding weekends. For further assistance or questions about the parking policy, see LUPD’s visitor parking information.

For directions to campus, shuttle information, and more, explore the university’s visitor’s guide.

We are back with another staff highlight. 

Ethan Pierce is a Junior majoring in History. He loves to study Early Medieval Europe and has plans to teach after graduation.

His favorite exhibit in the museum is the one featuring all of the Bibles and tracts, mostly from the Civil War. He says that "artifacts like that make me feel closer to history in a way that few things can." 

We encourage you to stop by the museum to get a tour from our student workers! 

#chaplainsmuseum #history #historystudents #studentworkers
The fifth in our series “Meet the Student Staff” for Spring 2024 features Luke Walraven.

Luke is a Junior studying Social Studies Education for 6th-12th grade and History with a minor in Military History. He enjoys studying American history, including Colonial America, the Civil War, and the origination of popular and consumer culture in the 1920s. He hopes to eventually teach on the collegiate level or possibly work in a museum. 

His favorite part of the museum is the "Resurrection Morn" mural because it shows that "no matter political and societal differences, Christ can unify all." He recently finished researching Theophilus Gould Steward, an accomplished African American chaplain. He is now collecting research on chaplains' experiences in evacuation hospitals and examining the accounts of others who worked in those hospitals as well. 

Thanks for all your hard work, Luke!

#studentvolunteers #chaplainsmuseum #historymajors #studentstaff #museums
The museum will be closed Saturday, March 9 - Saturday, March 16 for Spring Break.

We will reopen on Monday, March 18 for regular hours.
The fourth in our series “Meet the Student Staff” for Spring 2024 features Kathryn Boyd.

Kathryn Boyd joins our staff this semester as an intern. A senior History major with a minor in Apologetics, Kathryn enjoys researching the Enlightenment period in Europe and America and Early Christian Church History. One of her major tasks as an intern is to develop our children’s activities so that we can make the story of military chaplains accessible to our younger visitors. 

One day, she hopes to implement her skills and experience as a curator or museum educator. Her favorite exhibit at the museum is Miss Melanie's Parlor because it shares how chaplains serve not just service members, but also their families.
 
We’re looking forward to more of Kathryn’s contributions to the Chaplains Museum!

#chaplainsmuseum #chaplaincy #historymajors #studentstaff #studentworkers #museum #museums
The third in our series of “Meet the Student Staff” for Spring 2024 features Nathan Estrada.
 
Nathan, a freshman History major with a minor in Military History, is most interested in modern naval history and the First World War. So far, his favorite part of the museum is our “Service on the Battlefield” exhibit because it showcases the courage of chaplains who care for service members regardless of the danger. After serving four years on active duty in the Navy, Nathan is now a reservist. He also volunteers at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford.

Although Nathan is new to the museum this semester, he’s already digging into research. So far, he’s worked on learning more about the evolution of the chaplain kit and he’s done some research on the transition from print to digital Bibles for service members. Soon we will feature some of his findings when we add two new digital Bibles to our Shiloh Chapel exhibit.
 
We’re looking forward to more of Nathan’s contributions to the Chaplains Museum!
#chaplainsmuseum #chaplaincy #historymajors #studentstaff #studentworkers #museum #museums
Did you know that the first black officer to command a military base was a chaplain? 

Born into slavery in 1859, William T. Anderson studied at Wilberforce University in Ohio thanks to the sponsorship of his local African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Galveston, Texas. He furthered his education at Howard University with a certificate in theology and subsequently graduated from the Homeopathic Medical College of Cleveland.
 
After pastoring various AME churches in Ohio, Anderson felt called to become a military chaplain. In 1897, President McKinley appointed him as chaplain of the 10th United States Cavalry Regiment, known as the “Buffalo Soldiers,” with the rank of captain. When the regiment deployed to the Chickamauga Nation, Chaplain Anderson stayed behind, and, as the highest-ranking officer at Fort Assinniboine (Montana), he became the first black officer to command an American military post.
 
Two months later, Anderson rejoined the 10th and accompanied them as they deployed first to Cuba and then to Fort William McKinley in the Philippines, where he was promoted to the rank of Major and granted command of the U.S. morgue there.
 
In January 1910, Anderson retired and returned to Wilberforce University. He served as the secretary for the bishop of the 3rd Episcopal District until his death in 1934. 
 
Anderson is but one example of many black chaplains who have ministered to U.S. service members. Learn more about these at the Chaplains Museum, where we are in the process of updating our “Diversity in Service” exhibit. Stay tuned to learn more about new additions!
 
#chaplain #chaplains #militarychaplains #armychaplains #army #usarmy #spanichamericanwar #tenthuscavalry #buffalosoldiers #history #militaryhistory #blackhistory #blackhistorymonth

Contact

(434) 582-7090

chaplainsmuseum@liberty.edu

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Chaplains Museum

Liberty University Department of History

1971 University Blvd.

Lynchburg, VA 24515