Greetings All:

The Virginia Historical Society, with the support of Virginia's Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission, is in the process of organizing an exhibition entitled Virginia’s Civil War. The exhibit will serve as the Commonwealth of Virginia’s flagship Civil War exhibit to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. In an effort to serve all Virginians, the exhibit will travel to eight regional museums from 2011-2015.

While the specific themes of this exhibit are under development, I’ve been tasked with locating sources for objects that may be used in the exhibit. At this time, we know that the exhibit will focus on two major themes – battlefield and home front. We also know that our approach will focus on compelling stories that are illustrative of larger themes we’re planning to include in the exhibit. All objects must be well documented with a clear provenance. The best objects, of course, are those that have identified owners and are accompanied by a photograph of the owner and are supported by diaries or letters that describe that individual’s Civil War experiences.

Here are examples of the types of experiences we’d like to represent:

Virginians who lived in areas occupied by Union armies.
Virginians who remained loyal to the Union throughout the War.
Virginians who became refugees as a result of the War.
The effect of the War on Virginia women (black and white, free and enslaved).
African Americans in Virginia who were free before the war.
African Americans who escaped slavery and became “contraband of war”.
African Americans who served as part of the United States Colored Troops in Virginia.
African Americans who served as body servants, teamsters, cooks, and laborers with the Confederate armies in Virginia.
Virginians who served in the Confederate army.
Federal soldiers who served in Virginia.
Federal soldiers who resided in Virginia’s prisoner of war camps.
Doctors, nurses, and patients, in Virginia General Hospitals.

Some examples of items that may be used to illustrate these themes:

Photographs of individuals (accompanied by diaries or letters) who lived or fought in Virginia during the War.
Account books, receipts, or other documentation related to the economics of Virginia families during the War.
Clothing worn during the Civil War period by an identified civilian.
Personal items used by identified civilians during the Civil War period.
Objects damaged or confiscated by Union or Confederate soldiers from Virginia homes.
Uniforms, headgear, accoutrements, personal effects and firearms used by an identified Union or Confederate soldier in Virginia.
Textiles produced on the home front during the war (quilts, woven fabrics, knitted goods, etc.).
Examples of objects or raw materials manufactured in Virginia during the War.

I’m appealing to the Civil War community, scholars, collectors, re-enactors, museums, and descendents of mid-nineteenth century Virginians for help in our search. This exhibit is an excellent opportunity to make available to the nation, and the world, many heretofore unseen objects and unknown stories related to the War. Any leads will be appreciated. I can be contacted directly with any information you may have.

Warmest regards,

Andrew H. Talkov
Exhibit Coordinator for Virginia’s Civil War
Virginia Historical Society
428 N. Boulevard
P.O. Box 7311
Richmond, Virginia 23221-0311
Phone: 804-340-2276
Fax: 804-355-2399
Email: atalkov@vahistorical.org