Civil War & Underground Railroad Museum of Philadelphia

Elite '09

123

129

Jenna C.

Philadelphia, PA

3/9/2008

This museum has a very interesting collection of artifacts from the Civil War era. Everything they have on collection is authentic, with no recreations. There is a death mask of Grant, and a life mask of Lincoln. Those are just two very neat things that you can see here. They also have a decent collection of guns and rifles and swords, so even those who get bored at historical museums will have something they might enjoy looking at.

OK, the museum lied to us. They do have one recreation, it's of the box that was used to ship the slave, Henry Brown, to freedom. The museum has this replica, in exact dimensions, to show children the desperate measures that people were forced to go to for freedom.  

Currently, the museum is housed in, well, a house. It's on the block of 18th and Pine and is almost impossible to notice from the outside. However, the unassuming setting is actually an appropriate backdrop for the museum. It somehow makes the experience less of a trip to a museum to become a more comforting learning experience.  It seems to fit with the artifacts on display.   Also, with four floors, you keep wondering what you will see next.

I think this is a museum worth supporting. If you have a family, take them. Your kids might be bored at first, but they will soon become interested in America's history, here. Also, if you know a history buff, they can use the museum's library for research.

I enjoyed my visit and plan to return again, and soon.

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