Real Stories Of Appomattox County Appomattox History Tours & Museum

Virtual Museum

Discover Appomattox Civil War to Civil Rights History Online

Explore the nation’s only Appomattox Virtual Museum

You don’t have to visit Appomattox, VA to unlock the riveting stories of this historic area. Our online virtual museum archives stories untold by the history books, and you can access it all from the comfort of your own home.

After hundreds of hours of research, we have uncovered and are beginning to archive stories from the battle of Appomattox, the peace treaty at Appomattox Court House, and the Appomattox civil rights efforts over the last 150 years.

Discover the personal stories of the enslaved and formerly-enslaved, including their first-hand accounts of Appomattox Civil War history. Learn how white slave owners contributed to the historical record of the time, and how white newspaper owners chose to memorialize the formerly-enslaved in the decades after emancipation.

Immerse yourself in the American story – the aftershocks of which are still felt to this day – from wherever you are in the world.

Man standing in front of brick building
Living History with Rev. Al Jones III, Portraying Abe Reynolds, Hannah Reynolds Husband.

How to Access the Appomattox Virtual Museum

To start exploring the Appomattox Virtual Museum, simply create an account. The Civil War to Civil Rights stories we’ve collected are told through newspaper articles, historical reenactments, paintings and portraits of key landmarks and events, and much more – all accessed through our museum portal. History’s never been so accessible!

1. Create an account

Create an account to receive new post notifications, tour discounts, special tour announcements, and access to exclusive subscriber content.

2. Confirm your email

We’ll send you a confirmation email to ensure the address you’ve listed is correct. Just click the link, and you’ll be ready to enter the virtual museum.

3. Start reading

Once you’ve logged in, the Appomattox Civil War to Civil Rights Museum is easy to navigate. Stories are organized by theme, and each one includes a wealth of archival data.

Video Library

Appomattox, VA history comes to life on your screen

Historical Photos

Arresting historical images that illustrate Appomattox history

View historical artifacts, portraits of key figures, landscape and battleground paintings, and maps of battlefields and Appomattox, VA. With access to hundreds of Appomattox images, you’ll gain a deep understanding of the area that witnessed the end of slavery and the beginning of the American Civil Rights journey.

COMING SOON!

Stories & Blog

Dive deep into Appomattox history with written stories

Subscribe to our blog updates, and you’ll never miss a moment of the riveting Appomattox history action. We’ll share in-depth retellings of the fascinating personal histories featured in the virtual Appomattox Civil War to Civil Rights Museum, delivered straight to your inbox.

  • All
  • Emancipation
  • Enslavement
painting of man in grey uniform signing a document with another man standing nearby, and a group of men in dark uniforms across the room
Free & Former Enslaved

The Enslaved Witnesses at the McLean House

April 9, 1865  THERE Betsy and Lucy were also there to witness the pitiful picture of the Confederate soldiers who passed by Ellen Bryant’s home ...
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text on a parchment paper background story of Rev. John Wright
Free & Former Enslaved

Witnessing History: The Hannah Reynolds Back Story

The enslaved of Appomattox County hold a unique place in the history of the United States of America. No other enslaved community witnessed the surrender ...
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man with mustache, old time photo of soldier, Henry J. Colgan
Free & Former Enslaved

Appomattox After Emancipation: The Uncertain Freedom Faced by Freedmen

This post explores the complexities of April 9, 1865, the day of Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. While it marked the end of the Confederacy and ...
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Do Your Part to Preserve Appomattox History

Your donations help us as we continue to uncover and archive Appomattox, VA stories

If you’re passionate about the Civil War and Civil Rights history of Appomattox, consider making a donation. Your gifts support our historical research and keep the online virtual museum available to United States Civil War enthusiasts across the world.