Bardstown Pioneer Village, Civil War Museum, and the Women’s Museum of the Civil War in Bardstown, KY are the largest and most complete museums of the American Civil War's Western Theater.
Just one hour West of Lexington and 45 minutes South of Louisville, downtown Bardstown's Civil War Museum and the Women’s Museum of the Civil War feature over 8000 square combined feet of exhibit space. The displays brim with authentic uniforms, weapons, memorabilia, letters, and more from the American Civil War.
A carefully balanced presentation, you'll see both Confederate and Union displays, along with special collections and rooms detailing such subjects as Slavery, Artillery, the Infantry, Cavalry, salt and fresh water Navies, and the politics of the period.
Even more unique is the Women’s Museum of the Civil War. This one-of-a-kind museum brings to light the rarely discussed, important part women played in the history of the Civil War - and it wasn't in the kitchen! Women filled pivotal roles as administrators, writers, nurses, and even spies and combat soldiers. This fascinating Civil War Museum is a must see.
The Civil War Museum and Women’s Museum of the Civil War are part of Bardstown's Museum Row, which also includes Bardstown Pioneer Village, also known as Old Bardstown Village: a collection of ten original 18th and 19th century log structures, forming a Colonial settlement that includes an old covered bridge and a stone mill house known as Brown's Mill.
Another part of Bardstown's Museum Row is the War Memorial of Mid America Museum, dedicated to Bardstown native Lt. General Hal Moore. Here you will see exhibits covering wars from as far back as the American Revolution and up to today's convoluted conflicts in the Middle East. Much of the exhibit space is centered around the experiences of Kentuckians who served.
