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Museum Under Parent
Museum Under Parent
Educational Offerings
In addition to year-round self-guided tours, the park offers a variety of age and education-specific programs throughout the year. School group programs are designed around the Virginia Standards of Learning. Adult programs range from explorations of the Bushong Family and their times to the motivations of soldiers North and South.
Adult Tours
The Captain's Tour: 2 hours
This is our most popular adult tour offered at the Park. It provides an overview of the Battle of New Market and the Civil War.
Self-guided tour of the Virginia Museum of the Civil War
Exceptional shopping opportunities at the General's Store
Field of Lost Shoes, our Emmy award-winning film on the Battle of New Market
Guided tour of the battlefield and Bushong Farm
The Major's Tour: 2 hours and 45 minutes
This program option includes all of the components of the Captain's Tour, plus a guided tour of the Bushong Farm House, located at the center of the fiercest fighting.
Self-guided tour of the Virginia Museum of the Civil War
Exceptional shopping opportunities at the General's Store
Field of Lost Shoes, our Emmy award-winning film on the Battle of New Market
Guided tour of the battlefield and Bushong farmyard
Guided tour of the Bushong farmhouse
Grades K - 6
Private's Tour: 2 hours
Students explore the museum and complete a scavenger hunt, inspect supplies of a Civil War soldier and retrace footsteps of the troops and VMI cadets who participated in the Battle.
SOLs: K.1a, K.1e, K.1g, K.2a, K.2b, K.3, 1.1a, 1.1g, 2.1a, 2.1e, 2.1g, 3.1a, 3.1e, 3.1g, VS.1a, VS.1b, VS.1c, VS.1d, VS.1e, VS.7a, VS.7b, VS.7c, USI.1a, USA.1c, USI.1d, USI.1e, USI.1f, USI.1g
School of the Soldier: 2.5 hours
Students test their skills as a Civil War soldier by learning basic drills and marching techniques, explore the museum, complete a scavenger hunt, and learn about the basic needs of soldiers during the Civil War. During the tour, students experience the march of the cadets across the grounds.
SOLs: K.1a, K.1e, K.1g, K.2a, K.2b, K.3, 1.1a, 1.1g, 2.1a, 2.1e, 2.1g, 3.1a, 3.1e, 3.1g, VS.1a, VS.1b, VS.1c, VS.1d, VS.1e, VS.7a, VS.7b, VS.7c, USI.1a, USA.1c, USI.1d, USI.1e, USI.1f, USI.1g
Cadet's Tour: 3 hours
Students explore the museum, complete a scavenger hunt, learn about the basic needs of soldiers during the Civil War, watch Field of Lost Shoes movie, and participate in a guided tour following in the footsteps of those who fought during the battle.
SOLs: K.1a, K.1e, K.1g, K.2a, K.2b, K.3, 1.1a, 1.1g, 2.1a, 2.1e, 2.1g, 3.1a, 3.1e, 3.1g, VS.1a, VS.1b, VS.1c, VS.1d, VS.1e, VS.7a, VS.7b, VS.7c, USI.1a, USA.1c, USI.1d, USI.1e, USI.1f, USI.1g
Life on the Farm: 2.5 hours
Students explore 19th Century farm life and participate in hands-on activities at the Bushong Farm. They will try their hand at building a rail fence and participate in other farm chores, as well as explore how children would have spent their free time with period toys and games. A scavenger hunt of the farmhouse and grounds allow students to explore the farm and compare life in the 19th Century and now.
SOLs: K.1e, K.1g, K.2a, K.2b, K.3, K.4, 1.1a, 1.1d, 1.1g, 1.6b, 2.1a, 2.1d, 2.1g, 3.1a, 3.1d, 3.1g
Grades 7 - 12
Sergeant's Tour: 2-3 hours*
Students explore the museum and complete a scavenger hunt, inspect supplies of a Civil War soldier and retrace footsteps of the troops and VMI cadets who participated in the Battle.
*The program can be extended to 3 hours if you wish to view the 45-minute film, Field of Lost Shoes.
SOLs: CE.1a, CE.1f, VUS.1a, VUS.6e, VUS.6g, VUS.7a, VUS.7c, GOVT.1a, GOVT.1f
All tours must be booked a minimum of 2-weeks in advance. Group pricing is available.
Adult Tours
The Captain's Tour: 2 hours
This is our most popular adult tour offered at the Park. It provides an overview of the Battle of New Market and the Civil War.
Self-guided tour of the Virginia Museum of the Civil War
Exceptional shopping opportunities at the General's Store
Field of Lost Shoes, our Emmy award-winning film on the Battle of New Market
Guided tour of the battlefield and Bushong Farm
The Major's Tour: 2 hours and 45 minutes
This program option includes all of the components of the Captain's Tour, plus a guided tour of the Bushong Farm House, located at the center of the fiercest fighting.
Self-guided tour of the Virginia Museum of the Civil War
Exceptional shopping opportunities at the General's Store
Field of Lost Shoes, our Emmy award-winning film on the Battle of New Market
Guided tour of the battlefield and Bushong farmyard
Guided tour of the Bushong farmhouse
Grades K - 6
Private's Tour: 2 hours
Students explore the museum and complete a scavenger hunt, inspect supplies of a Civil War soldier and retrace footsteps of the troops and VMI cadets who participated in the Battle.
SOLs: K.1a, K.1e, K.1g, K.2a, K.2b, K.3, 1.1a, 1.1g, 2.1a, 2.1e, 2.1g, 3.1a, 3.1e, 3.1g, VS.1a, VS.1b, VS.1c, VS.1d, VS.1e, VS.7a, VS.7b, VS.7c, USI.1a, USA.1c, USI.1d, USI.1e, USI.1f, USI.1g
School of the Soldier: 2.5 hours
Students test their skills as a Civil War soldier by learning basic drills and marching techniques, explore the museum, complete a scavenger hunt, and learn about the basic needs of soldiers during the Civil War. During the tour, students experience the march of the cadets across the grounds.
SOLs: K.1a, K.1e, K.1g, K.2a, K.2b, K.3, 1.1a, 1.1g, 2.1a, 2.1e, 2.1g, 3.1a, 3.1e, 3.1g, VS.1a, VS.1b, VS.1c, VS.1d, VS.1e, VS.7a, VS.7b, VS.7c, USI.1a, USA.1c, USI.1d, USI.1e, USI.1f, USI.1g
Cadet's Tour: 3 hours
Students explore the museum, complete a scavenger hunt, learn about the basic needs of soldiers during the Civil War, watch Field of Lost Shoes movie, and participate in a guided tour following in the footsteps of those who fought during the battle.
SOLs: K.1a, K.1e, K.1g, K.2a, K.2b, K.3, 1.1a, 1.1g, 2.1a, 2.1e, 2.1g, 3.1a, 3.1e, 3.1g, VS.1a, VS.1b, VS.1c, VS.1d, VS.1e, VS.7a, VS.7b, VS.7c, USI.1a, USA.1c, USI.1d, USI.1e, USI.1f, USI.1g
Life on the Farm: 2.5 hours
Students explore 19th Century farm life and participate in hands-on activities at the Bushong Farm. They will try their hand at building a rail fence and participate in other farm chores, as well as explore how children would have spent their free time with period toys and games. A scavenger hunt of the farmhouse and grounds allow students to explore the farm and compare life in the 19th Century and now.
SOLs: K.1e, K.1g, K.2a, K.2b, K.3, K.4, 1.1a, 1.1d, 1.1g, 1.6b, 2.1a, 2.1d, 2.1g, 3.1a, 3.1d, 3.1g
Grades 7 - 12
Sergeant's Tour: 2-3 hours*
Students explore the museum and complete a scavenger hunt, inspect supplies of a Civil War soldier and retrace footsteps of the troops and VMI cadets who participated in the Battle.
*The program can be extended to 3 hours if you wish to view the 45-minute film, Field of Lost Shoes.
SOLs: CE.1a, CE.1f, VUS.1a, VUS.6e, VUS.6g, VUS.7a, VUS.7c, GOVT.1a, GOVT.1f
All tours must be booked a minimum of 2-weeks in advance. Group pricing is available.
Focus of Your Collection
The aim of our museum is to take visitors through the Civil War in Virginia using artifacts, photos, and dioramas. Special emphasis is placed on the Battle of New Market which occurred on the museum grounds in May of 1864. The grounds feature two 1-mile walking paths that follow in the footsteps of those who participated in the battle. The original 1825 Bushong Farm House and outbuildings are open to explore as well. The Bushong Family sheltered in their cellar as the fiercest fighting was centered on their home. The museum and grounds are self-guided.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Virginia Museum of the Civil War is to collect, preserve, and interpret the military and social history of the decade 1858 to 1868 in Virginia. With special attention given to the Shenandoah Valley and to perpetuate the battle site as a memorial to the valor of the VMI Corps of Cadets in the Battle of New Market.
The Museum Houses:
Original artifacts from the Bushong Family
Original artifacts from VMI and Battle of New Market
The Kaminsky Gallery of Civil War Firearms
The Robert Raeburn Civil War Art Collection
Field of Lost Shoes in the museum’s theater
Mission Statement
The mission of the Virginia Museum of the Civil War is to collect, preserve, and interpret the military and social history of the decade 1858 to 1868 in Virginia. With special attention given to the Shenandoah Valley and to perpetuate the battle site as a memorial to the valor of the VMI Corps of Cadets in the Battle of New Market.
The Museum Houses:
Original artifacts from the Bushong Family
Original artifacts from VMI and Battle of New Market
The Kaminsky Gallery of Civil War Firearms
The Robert Raeburn Civil War Art Collection
Field of Lost Shoes in the museum’s theater
City or County (or out of state)
Shenandoah