Discover the Sacrifice and Service of U.S. Military Chaplains in Wartime

Summer Hours
Open 12 noon to 4 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Closed August 17-27 for staff training.

National Civil War Chaplains Museum

Throughout American history, military chaplains have exemplified servant leadership in the midst of the challenges of division and war as they worked to meet the spiritual needs of men and women in uniform.

Located on the campus of Liberty University, the Chaplains Museum features an extensive collection of objects and artifacts that tell the stories of U.S. military chaplains in the camp, on the battlefield, and among prisoners of war. Visitors will learn how chaplains from diverse backgrounds have used a variety of means and methods to carry out their ministry during times of war.

About

Serving with a Unique Purpose

Founded in 2005 as a private organization, the Chaplains Museum is now part of the History Department at Liberty University. Our mission is to showcase the service of U.S. Military Chaplains throughout American history through historical research and the collection and preservation of related artifacts.

The museum also functions as a student laboratory for research, exhibit design, collections care, and special projects.

The Chaplains Museum:

Collects, preserves, and studies objects and documents related to military chaplains
Encourages student research in topics related to religion in wartime, specifically in the context of military chaplains and their ministry
Presents programs that highlight the role of chaplains and military service in shaping the spiritual lives of those who serve in the armed forces

Donate

Support the Chaplain’s Museum through an online donation.

All donated funds will go toward acquiring, caring for, and interpreting items related to the service of U.S. military Chaplains and the religious lives of servicemembers as well as events and activities that further the mission of the Museum.

Give to the Chaplain’s Museum

As part of the History Department at Liberty University, the Chaplains Museum has become an active learning laboratory for students.

Learn More About Chaplain History

Students in the Chaplains Museum conduct research on the history of chaplains and objects in our collection. Learn along with them by reading our posts below and following us on Instagram.

Follow Chaplains Museum on Instagram

Click Images to Read Full Post

View

Aug 25

Open

We are happy to introduce our new fall intern, Sydney Gilbert!

Sydney is a senior majoring in History with minors in Politics and Policy and Government. She enjoys studying the Antebellum period and manumission and hopes to pursue a master’s degree in Public History.

Her favorite area in the museum is Miss Melanie’s Parlor as it displays mourning customs during the 19th century on the American home front, and the chaplain’s role in comforting dying soldiers and their families.

Stop by the museum to hear more stories about how chaplains served and aided service members and their families!

Help the Chaplains Museum expand our collection and add new exhibits! Look for the "Donate" section at the link in our bio. 

#chaplainsmuseum #chaplain #militarychaplain #libertyuniversity ...

View

Aug 21

Open

As we continue to highlight the current Chiefs of Chaplains, we bring to your attention the U.S. Air Force and Space Force Chief of Chaplains, Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Trent C. Davis. A 1993 sociology graduate from Longwood College and a 1996 Master of Divinity recipient from Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary, Davis began his service as an Air Force Reserve chaplain. In 1998, he transitioned to active duty, bringing faith and compassion to servicemembers worldwide.

From bases across the U.S. to posts in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Chaplain Davis has touched countless lives. Today, as the 21st Air Force Chief of Chaplains and 3rd Space Force Chief of Chaplains, he provides spiritual guidance to over 700,000 servicemembers and their families.

Stay tuned to hear about the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps Chief of Chaplains!

Image 1: Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Trent C. Davis. Image courtesy of the U.S. Air Force.

To read more about Chaplain Davis, visit https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/3632316/trent-c-davis/.

Help the Chaplains Museum expand our collection and add new exhibits! Look for the “Donate” section at the link in our bio.

#chaplains #militarychaplains #chaplainsmuseum #libertyuniversity #chiefofchaplains #airforce #spaceforce ...

View

Aug 21

Open

Hello everyone! The Chaplains Museum is back for the new school year. My name is Micah Velarde. I am a senior History major and I’m returning for a second semester as a student worker in the Museum.

Here at the Chaplains Museum, we have recently added new objects and exhibits that you don’t want to miss. We’re closed now to allow our new staff to train, but we will reopen with regular hours next week, August 28. Even if you have already been to the Museum, I’m sure we have something new that you haven’t seen.

Also, stay tuned to this space as we introduce our new staff over the next couple of weeks.

‐------------
Help the Chaplains Museum expand our collection and add new exhibits! Look for the “Donate” section at the link in our bio.

#chaplainsmuseum #libertyuniversity #chaplain #militarychaplain ...

View

Aug 15

Open

Did you know that chaplains in all branches of the military are overseen by a corresponding Chief of Chaplains? When the 1920 National Defense Act was instituted, it made the chaplain corps an innate part of the U.S. Military, creating the need for the Office of the Chief of Chaplains (OCCH). To demonstrate the vital role of the OCCH, we will highlight the current Chiefs of Chaplains throughout the next month, beginning with Chaplain William Green Jr.

In a speech to the U.S. Army Institute for Religious Leadership, Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) William Green Jr. stated that “[his] mom was [his] first drill sergeant,” encouraging him to join the army. Little did he know at the time that joining the Army would become a life-changing event for him.

Chaplain Green enlisted in the army after graduating from high school but left active duty in 1986 to preach and eventually become an ordained minister. In 1992, he graduated from Emory University with his Master of Divinity and was appointed as an army chaplain two years later.

For several years, Green served the army through several engagements, including Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Joint Forge, a peacekeeping operation led by NATO. He remained consistent throughout his service, providing peace, comfort, and spiritual guidance for servicemembers in his care.

Today, Chaplain Green continues his ministry as the 26th U.S. Army Chief of Chaplains, stating that “[he is] thankful to God for allowing [him] to serve this great nation.”

Stay tuned to hear about the other Chiefs of Chaplains!

Image 1: Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) William Green Jr.

Image 2: Chaplain Green was promoted to Major General on March 15, 2024.

Help the Chaplains Museum expand our collection and add new exhibits! Look for the “Donate” section at the link in our bio.

#chaplainsmuseum #libertyuniversity #chaplain #militarychaplain #army #chiefofchaplains ...

Load More Posts

Plan Your Visit to the Chaplains Museum

Monday through Friday 12:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Summer Hours (June, July, August)
Monday, Thursday, Friday 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The museum is located in the Jerry Falwell Library on Liberty University’s Campus. Learn more about our location and parking.

Explore

Devoted to Service

Historically, U.S. military chaplains have performed many roles. They have preached, acted as personal counselors, cared for the sick and dying, handled military postal services, administered literacy programs, and in some cases even joined in battle. View the following Chaplains Museum exhibits and research sources and explore our online collections catalog.

Introducing the Chaplaincy: A History of Service

Shiloh Chapel: Religion and the Bible in Times of War

Partners in Service: Service Organizations Partnering With Chaplains

Service to the Suffering: Chaplains' Ministry in the Hospitals and Prison Camps

Diversity in Service: Unifying With a Common Purpose

Service on the Battlefield: Chaplains in the Midst of Battle

Service on the Homefront: Chaplains Ministry to the Families of Service Members

Chaplains in the Service of the Gospel: Evangelism in the Military

Take the accessible-friendly route to the Chaplains Museum.

Location

Getting to the Museum

The Chaplains Museum can be found on the terrace level of the Jerry Falwell Library. The Library’s main exterior entrance is located at the southern end of the Academic Lawn.

Visitor parking passes are required daily excluding weekends. For further assistance or questions about the parking policy, see LUPD’s visitor parking information.

For directions to campus, shuttle information, and more, explore the university’s visitor’s guide.

Contact

(434) 582-7090

chaplainsmuseum@liberty.edu

Chaplains Museum

Liberty University Department of History

1971 University Blvd.

Lynchburg, VA 24515

Follow us on Instagram where we regularly share highlights from chaplaincy history.

Discover the Sacrifice and Service of U.S. Military Chaplains in Wartime

National Civil War Chaplains Museum

Throughout American history, military chaplains have exemplified servant leadership in the midst of the challenges of division and war as they worked to meet the spiritual needs of men and women in uniform.

About

Serving with a Unique Purpose

Donate

Learn More About Chaplain History

Click Images to Read Full Post

Plan Your Visit to the Chaplains Museum

Explore

Devoted to Service

Museum Exhibits

Research

Collection Catalog

Location

Getting to the Museum

Contact

(434) 582-7090