Townsend, Tenn. – To observe the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the Heritage Center is hosting a collection of memorabilia and artifacts from that important period of U.S. history. Items are on display in the Proffitt’s Gallery inside the main gallery.

Over half a million Americans lost their lives between 1861 and 1865 in a war between 11 Southern states and 23 Union states that divided the nation. In the midst of the war, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, ending slavery in the United States.

“These are not your typical Civil War artifacts,” Director Bob Patterson said this week. ”We are able to share some things that are not available elsewhere, such as the Picketts Charge battle flag, from the third day at Gettysburg; and the Nashville battle map signed by the “Rock of Chickamauga,” General George Henry Thomas.

Among the many items on display:

Carte de Visite: This was a small photograph, usually made of paper and mounted on cardboard. Newspapers in the 1860’s could not print photographs, and Americans wanted to know what their new president looked like. Hundreds of thousands of cards were printed and distributed in the 1860’s with Lincoln’s picture, and those of his family and cabinet.

Photos of John Wilkes Booth: Born into a family of actors, Booth went on to become one of America’s best known actors of the 19th century. He was a strong Southern sympathizer and was greatly disturbed when the war ended with Lee’s surrender. On April 14, 1865, he assassinated President Lincoln at Ford’s Theater.

A 33-1/2” bronze statue of Lincoln holding the Emancipation Proclamation, cast by Leonard Volk in 1891.

Original battle map of the Battle of Nashville signed by General Thomas, the Union Army Commander.

Of particular interest is the reproduction collection of Flags of the Confederacy hanging just inside the entrance to the Heritage Center’s Main Gallery – the first Confederate flag (“Stars and Bars); the second Confederate flag (Stainless Banner); the third Confederate flag (Blood Stained Banner); the Bonnie Blue Flag (flew in Charleston during the bombing of Fort Sumter); Jefferson Davis’ flag (President of the Confederacy 1861-1865); Robert E. Lee’s personal flag; and Nathan Bedford Forrest’s personal flag.

The exhibit features numerous other items including a framed poster of the Emancipation Proclamation with the seals of 36 states and the names of all those who signed the document; a Samuel Colt pistol and a L. W. Pond pistol, types of guns used extensively during this war; powder horn and flask; a 35-star West Virginia statehood flag; and more.

The exhibit will be available for viewing at the Heritage Center during the museum’s regular hours from now until October.

The Heritage Center is located between the Townsend traffic light and the national park entrance, on Scenic Highway 73.  Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for students and senior adults, and free for visitors under 6 years of age and for GSMHC members. For more information, call 865-448-0044.