An American Turning Point: The Civil War in Virginia "Waging War"

From 1861 to 1865 Virginia stood at the center of a military and social revolution. How we define freedom, liberty, patriotism, and nation today is directly related to the diverse experiences of the individuals who participated in the war. Using more than 200 original objects and 17 state-of-the art audiovisual programs, this 3,000 square-foot exhibition encourages visitors to consider how a single event, separated by 150 years can influence and address the questions of today—what was gained, what was lost, what was undecided, and what was left for us to resolve? The Exhibition will be showcased at the Hampton History Museum in two parts: Surviving War and Waging War. In Waging War, the military experience and its impact on the home front is examined. Waging War asks: Why did people expect a ninety-day war? Was the Civil War the first modern war? Which is more important, speed or strength; offense or defense? An American Turning Point is a signature program of the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission and is supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities.