150 Years | Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial
Attractions
Tennessee Civil War Attractions
Use the tabs above to learn more about trails, markers and other interpretive sites; battlefields, and the many Civil War-related museums and other attractions designed to help travelers understand the legacy of the war in Tennessee.
Tennessee's Civil War history is a study in contrasts: a secessionist state with staunch Union loyalties, divided cities held by both Union and Confederate troops, constant danger and hardship, and nagging uncertainty about friends, neighbors and families, about who was friend or foe.
Tennessee's Civil War tale is one of divided loyalties, crucial battles, and the wide-reaching devastation of "total war." People throughout the state were completely immersed in the economic, social, and physical effects of the conflict, subject to violence and terror, disease and malnutrition, heartbreak and loss, and military rule by both sides. The stories of the Underground Railroad and Emancipation bring out the other side of war in the African American struggle for freedom and citizenship. Many grim reminders of the war—as well as hopeful symbols of heroism and kindness—stand today as testament to how the war transformed Tennessee.
Carnton Plantation
Carnton is the restored home of John and Carrie McGavock. The house once a vibrant plantation home, served as field hospital to hundreds of wounded and dying Confederate soldiers following the Battle of Franklin in 1864. The house, grounds and garden are open for tours ...more
Region: Nashville & Surrounding Areas
City: Franklin, TN
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Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park
Point Park commemorates the soldiers who fought in the 1863 Civil War battles for Chattanooga. The battlefields of Orchard Knob, Lookout Mountain and portions of Missionary Ridge are all components of the National Park.
The park includes three historic homes. Brotherton House marks the spot where the Union line was broken, Snodgrass House served as a Union field hospital, and Cravens House served as a Conferderate field ...more
Region: Chattanooga & Southeast
City: Lookout Mountain, TN
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Civil War Living History Weekend
Civil War reenactment with skirmishes and battles in this historic town of Cumberland ...more
Region: Knoxville & Middle East
City: Cumberland Gap, TN
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Collierville Historic Train Depot
Located on Colliervile's Town Square in the mid-1940s, this historic building is the third depot in Collierville since 1852. Home to Main Street Collierville, it's a great stop for info and Collierville mementos while visiting the historic ...more
Region: Memphis & Surrounding Areas
City: Collierville, TN
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Confederate Camp at Seawell
<p>During his 1864 raid on Federal positions throughout Middle Tennessee, Confederate cavalry leader Joe Wheeler camped at this site. At the turn of the century, Castle Heights Military Academy was established here, and the remaining buildings of the campus are listed in a National Register historic district. Within City Hall (the old academy’s administration building) is a museum about Lebanon and Wilson County, which contains several exhibits about the Civil War ...more
Region: Nashville & Surrounding Areas
City: Lebanon, TN
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Confederate Memorial Hall (Bleak House)
Also called Bleak House, the Tuscan style antebellum mansion was built by slaves between 1854 - 1858 for its newlywed owners, Robert and Louisa Franklin Armstrong. Occupied by Confederate Generals James Longstreet and Lafayette McLaws during 1863 siege of Knoxville. Two cannon balls are still embedded in the walls. Furnished with period antiques. Museum of CSA ...more
Region: Knoxville & Middle East
City: Knoxville, TN
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Confederate Memorial Park
Huge Confederate Flag flies on a 75 ft. pole and Confederate memorial bricks honor Civil War soldiers who fought for the South from the ...more
Region: Upper Cumberland
City: Monterey, TN
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Confederate Memorial Park at Winstead Hill
A Confederate memorial park with monuments, historical markers, cannon, an overlook and 3-D map of the Franklin battlefield located on Winstead ...more
Region: Nashville & Surrounding Areas
City: Franklin, TN
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Confederate Park
Opened in 1906 as part of the Memphis Park and Parkway System, Confederate Park commemorates the Battle of Memphis. When Confederate forces retreated to Mississippi after the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862, unfortified Memphis became vulnerable to attack. From these bluffs and those at what is now Chickasaw Park, on June 6, 1862, thousands of civilians watched the naval battle onthe Mississippi River below. Within 90 minutes, the Union fleet defeated the Confederates. Medical Cadet Charles R. Ellet and a small party entered the city and raised the U.S. flag over the post office. The Federals held Memphis for ...more
Region: Memphis & Surrounding Areas
City: Memphis, TN
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Courthouse Burning in Livingston
In April 1865 a company of Confederate guerrillas led by Captain John Francis made a raid on Livingston and burned the county courthouse. U.S. authorities had collected information about the pro-Confederate activities of many local residents and this material was stored in the courthouse, awaiting use in trails. By destroying the courthouse and the evidence against them these residents were saved from being placed on ...more
Region: Nashville & Surrounding Areas
City: Livingston, TN
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Cronanville Confederate Cemetery
Confederate soldier cemetery located near the Island #10 ...more
Region: Northwest
City: Tiptonville, TN
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Cumberland County Driving Tour
The audio tour tape “Civil War Trails Across Cumberland County” is available in the office of the county ...more
Region: Upper Cumberland
City: Crossville, TN
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Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
The park is rich in American Indian, early pioneer and Civil War history, plus offers 70 miles of trails, tours of the historic Hensley Settlement, cave tours and camping. Visitor Center includes museum, dramatic films, craft sales and bookstore.
For the birdwatcher, the park is home to Ring-billed Gull, Canada Goose, Snow Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Wood Duck, Mallard, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Ruffed Grouse, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, and the Bald Eagle to name just a ...more
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City: Cumberland Gap, TN
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Cumberland University
The audio tour tape “Civil War Trails Across Cumberland County” is available in the office of the county ...more
Region: Nashville & Surrounding Areas
City: Lebanon, TN
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Davis Bridge Battlefield
Generals Sterling Price and Earl Van Dorn met General Ord here after the Battle of Corinth, October 5, 1862. A battle then ensued for the ...more
Region: Southwest
City: Pocahontas, TN
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Denmark Presbyterian Church
The oldest Presbyterian church in west Tennessee was founded on Cub Creek in 1821, before the town was settled. The congregation moved to Denmark but outgrew its home at a Baptist school.
Using slave labor, the Snipes brothers had the church built in just six days in 1854, and the church was ready for worship the next Sunday. It originally also housed Masonic Lodge # 154 on the second floor. Many signatures of Masons are still visible on the wall and door of the lodge.
Civil War-era stories include that of Confederate soldiers hiding under the hoop skirts of their sweethearts when Union troops searched ...more
Region: Southwest
City: Denmark, TN
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Fort Defiance Interpretive Center
Civil War fort. During the capture of Clarksville, the fort was burned and abandoned by Confederate forces. Earthenworks are all that ...more
Region: Nashville & Surrounding Areas
City: Clarksville, TN
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Fort Dickerson Park
<p>Fort Dickerson was named for its first commander, U.S. Army Captain Jonathan C. Dickerson of the 112th Illinois Volunteer Mounted Infantry. A 30-year-old carpenter, he played a significant role in Knoxville during the siege of the city in 1863. The fort is one of 16 earthen forts and battery positions that protected the City of Knoxville during the Civil War. Fort Dickerson is said to be the best preserved of all earthworks forts of that era. The park is known for its beautiful views of the whole City of Knoxville to the high ridges beyond Fountain City. There is also ...more
Region: Knoxville & Middle East
City: Knoxville, TN
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Fort Donelson National Battlefield
The site of the first decisive Union victory of the Civil War. A visitor center explains the importance of this pivotal battle. Open ...more
Region: Nashville & Surrounding Areas
City: Dover, TN
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