Shriver House Museum
You may know what happened on the battlefield . . .
but do you know what happened to the civilians in town?
This 19th-century home-turned-museum is the perfect spot for your group to learn all about the Civil War, its local impact, and how the daily lives of civilians went on during the war. The house itself is the former home of a local Civil War soldier's family and it explores the civilian experience, with several stories about the family and their daily lives. George, Hettie, Sadie (7), and Mollie all have insightful stories to tell, and walking through the meticulously restored rooms that once belonged to them will help tell them!
The guides here are dressed in period attire, allowing you to travel back in time with them to when this spot was Shriver's Saloon and Ten-Pin Alley, or a bit later when it was a local soldier hospital. Visit the attic to see the sharpshooters' nest in which two Confederate soldiers died, and ask about the spots that PBS, A&E, and the History Channel shot while visiting. Speaking of shot, notice the many bullet holes on the exterior of the building while walking around, shedding light on the intensity of the situation for civilians, not just soldiers, at that time.
During the summer you can explore the Demo Garden. Stop by the Museum Shop on your way out to pick up educational material or Shriver family souvenirs.
It will be quite easy to see why this spot has earned the Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor once you're here!