The Role of Railroads in Pennsylvania
During the Civil War

Opens to the public on Saturday, April 21 and runs through Sunday, December 30, 2012.

Railroads were a key to the successes of both the Union and Confederacy during the Civil War, and the contributions of Pennsylvania's railroads were an integral part of the Union's eventual victory. From supplying the armies with munitions and food to transporting troops, prisoners and communications, the Civil War was the first war in which railroads were a major factor.

The 1850s witnessed an enormous growth in the railroad industry so that by 1861, 22,000 miles of track had been laid in the Northern states and 9,500 miles in the South. Wars have always been fought to control supply centers and road junctions, and nowhere was this more evident than the American Civil War.

Fascinating photographs, documents and artifacts in this new exhibit tell the story of Pennsylvania's railroads during the War Between the States.

Access to this exhibit is part of the regular admission. Visit our second floor gallery for this and the Grif Teller railroad calendar paintings exhibit.