Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History

How to Get There

From Atlanta, GA (27 mi): Take I-75 N to exit 273 for Wade Green Road. Turn left onto Wade Green, then right onto Jiles Road. Continue to Cherokee Street and turn left to reach the museum.

Overview

The Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History in Kennesaw, Georgia, offers a compelling look at the intersection of railroads and the American Civil War. A Smithsonian Affiliate, the museum is home to the famed General locomotive, centerpiece of the Great Locomotive Chase of 1862. Visitors can explore permanent exhibits such as “Railroads: Lifelines of the Civil War,” “The Great Locomotive Chase,” and “Glover Machine Works: Casting a New South,” which together tell the story of how railroads shaped the outcome of the war and the rebuilding of the South. The museum also features rotating exhibits, educational programs, and a hands-on children’s area in the Jolley Education Center.

Founded in 1972, the museum has grown into a 50,000-square-foot facility that includes archival collections, a model train area, and Georgia’s Merci Boxcar—a post-WWII gift from France. The museum’s engaging displays and interactive elements make it a favorite for families, history buffs, and train enthusiasts alike. Whether you're tracing the daring raid of Union spies or learning about 19th-century locomotive manufacturing, the Southern Museum offers a rich and immersive historical experience.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.