The Civil War holds a pivotal place in the history of the United States. Citizens of the new state of Minnesota were a major part of the national story, from being the first state to offer troops through their dramatic role at Gettysburg to Appomattox and beyond. To commemorate the sesquicentennial of these events, the Minnesota Historical Society is offering a broad range of programs, publications and online content from now through 2015. The resources on this topic page will provide a starting place for exploration of this rich and complex history. More >>

Student Writing Contest

Collections
Resources
Historic Sites

Minnesota and the Civil War: Collections

This rich Web resource presents highlights from the MHS Civil War collections, and puts them in context through narrative text and an extensive timeline.

Fort Snelling and the Civil War: Collections

An introductory online classroom resource with a special emphasis on the role of Historic Fort Snelling.

Books & Manuscripts

Many published sources that have long since gone out of print can be found in our Library collection. Notable strengths include regimental histories, histories of specific battles, and personal narratives. The State Archives holds the official records from this period, while original letters and diaries are available in the Manuscript Collection.

Art & Photographs

Over 600 photographs and 60 works of art relating to the Civil War are in the MHS collection. These include portraits of individual soldiers, battle scenes, and images of camp life.

Battle Flags

Battle flags were very important to soldiers as a means of communication and a symbol of pride. A major conservation project was undertaken in 2008 to ensure these flags from the Civil War and Spanish-American War would live on.

Artifacts

Nearly 1,000 objects tell the story of the Civil War and the U.S.-Dakota War. These represent all branches of service and include weapons, uniforms, drums, flags, personal equipment, and more.