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

Reopening for 2026!
The Chaplains Museum will open to the public 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, January 23.
We will resume regular hours Monday, January 26.
Visit the museum Mon-Fri 12-4:30 p.m. and Sat 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

 

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.

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

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Feb 21

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Please welcome our new spring intern, Evan Beasley! Evan is a senior majoring in History with a minor in French. His primary areas of focus are genealogy (family history) and Southern history through 1865. After graduating, he is planning to earn a master’s degree in history. Evan’s favorite area in the Museum is Service on the Battlefield because it shows an interesting contrast between the roles of chaplains and soldiers. As noncombatants, chaplains are banned from carrying weapons, but during and before the Civil War, some chaplains, known as “Fighting Chaplains,” did carry and fire weapons. Come and visit the Chaplains Museum to learn more about the “Fighting Chaplains” and other ways chaplains served their comrades on the battlefield. Help the Chaplains Museum expand our collection and add new exhibits! Look for the "Donate" section at the link in our bio. #chaplainsmuseum #chaplain #libertyuniversity

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Feb 16

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Please help the Chaplains Museum welcome one of its new student workers, Shyla Brown! Hi! My name is Shyla Brown! I am a Junior majoring in History with a minor in Government. As a history major, I enjoy learning and researching about all areas of history, but my favorite historical era to learn about would be World War II, specifically the Holocaust. In the museum, I have begun researching the encounters between American Jewish Army Chaplains and Jewish Holocaust Survivors after World War II. My favorite part of the Museum is Miss Melanie’s Parlor, which depicts the mourning customs during the 19th century. Come and visit the Chaplains Museum to learn more about the ways chaplains served families on the homefront! Help the Chaplains Museum expand our collection and add new exhibits! Look for the "Donate" section at the link in our bio. #chaplainsmuseum #chaplain #libertyuniversity

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Feb 9

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Please help the Chaplains Museum welcome its new student worker, Jack Cashion! Jack is a second-year graduate student in Liberty University's residential Master of Arts in History program with a focus on public history and museum studies. He studied history as an undergraduate student as well, primarily researching wartime diplomacy in the early 20th Century. He aspires to pursue a career in archives management or museum work, and he wants to help inspire a love of history and its stories. His favorite area of the Chaplains Museum is Service on the Battlefield since it showcases the crucial role of chaplains in keeping morale and serving as an example to their men even in the worst of circumstances. He is especially drawn to the story of the four chaplains of the U.S.A.T. Dorchester, who sacrificed their lives so that the greatest number of their fellow soldiers could survive. Come and visit the Chaplains Museum to learn more about the integral role of chaplains in supporting their units. Help the Chaplains Museum expand our collection and add new exhibits! Look for the "Donate" section at the link in our bio. #chaplainsmuseum #chaplain #libertyuniversity

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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.

Museum Exhibits

Explore All Exhibits

Research

Research Chaplain History

Collection Catalog

View Collection Catalog
Introducing the Chaplaincy: A History of Service
Read More
Shiloh Chapel: Religion and the Bible in Times of War
Read More
Partners in Service: Service Organizations Partnering With Chaplains
Read More
Service to the Suffering: Chaplains' Ministry in the Hospitals and Prison Camps
Read More
Diversity in Service: Unifying With a Common Purpose
Read More
Service on the Battlefield: Chaplains in the Midst of Battle
Read More
Service on the Homefront: Chaplains Ministry to the Families of Service Members
Read More
Chaplains in the Service of the Gospel: Evangelism in the Military
Read More

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.