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

The Chaplains Museum will close at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 2. 

Regular hours: Monday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Check back for updates as the Museum sometimes closes for special events.

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

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

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 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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

Exhibits

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 exhibits and more at the Chaplains Museum.

Explore All Exhibits
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.

Instagram
We will reopen for normal hours on Monday, October 14th. We hope to see you then!
Last week our director, Professor Donna Donald, met with LU President Costin @libertyupres, who served as the 18th Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force, retiring with the rank of Major General after 36 years of service. Julia Broughton, one our History student workers, came along to take notes and learn more about interviewing for oral history.

President Costin affirmed that the chaplaincy is rooted in the First Amendment and is essential for sustaining religious freedom in the military. He also shared insights and stories that highlighted the importance of a chaplain’s ministry in enriching the social, emotional, and mental wellbeing of our troops. He emphasized the importance of spiritual health for human flourishing in all contexts, but particularly for the warfighter.

When asked to reflect on the history of chaplaincy, he said, “The history of the chaplaincy in many respects is the most important evidence we have for the value of the chaplaincy.” 

We are planning an exhibit about President Costin and his service as a military chaplain. Stay tuned for updates on this project. And thank you, President Costin, for taking the time to share your experience with us!

@historylu @libertyuniversity #chaplains #chaplainsmuseum #usairforce
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...

Happy Constitution Day! On this day in 1787, the U.S. Constitution was signed in Philadelphia by delegates of the Constitutional Convention. Please join the Chaplains Museum in celebrating our founding document, which has safeguarded the individual rights of American citizens for over 230 years.

The Chaplains Museum recognizes the crucial role of military chaplains in protecting servicemembers’ free exercise of religion, as guaranteed by the First Amendment.

The connection between the Constitution and the chaplaincy goes back to the writing of the Constitution itself, when Benjamin Franklin proposed that the Framers begin each session of the Convention with a prayer. Since then, chaplains and chaplain assistants have facilitated the free exercise rights of all soldiers, sailors, and aviators, regardless of faith background.

Although the Constitution prohibits the entanglement of church and state, it recognizes the vital importance of faith to the readiness of the armed forces and the vitality of the nation. In his Farewell Address, George Washington identified religion as a necessary ingredient to the success of the American experiment:

“Let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”

As the founder of the military chaplaincy, and a former soldier himself, he was certainly in a position to talk. Stop in to the Chaplains Museum to learn more about how military chaplains protect this first amendment right for all armed forces.

#chaplains #museum #constitution
Meet the new staff!

Hey, my name is Gary Secher and I'm a first year grad student pursuing a Master of Business Administration. My undergraduate degree was a B.S. In History because I love the subject. My favorite historical eras are The Golden Age of Piracy, The Roaring Twenties, and Edwardian England. My favorite exhibit here at the Chaplain's Museum would be the firearms exhibit, as I am a collector of antique firearms. I'm looking forward to have you stop by and see some of the exhibits for yourself!

Contact

(434) 582-7090

chaplainsmuseum@liberty.edu

Chaplains Museum

Liberty University Department of History

1971 University Blvd.

Lynchburg, VA 24515

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