Civil War Excursion Train at Narrow Passage (Shenandoah County Va)

From a late 19th century pamphlet advertising photographs from Civil Battlefields

2015 is the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War. As the sesquicentennial wraps up, it is important to understand how the war was, and is, remembered. Part of that story is this photograph.  

After the war, the nation became fascinated with the conflict. Individuals flocked to battlefields to marvel at the sites where so much blood had been shed and to mourn for the family members and friends they had lost.

Railroads companies capitalized on this with war themed excursion trains. Several came to the Shenandoah Valley. This train stopped at several sites in the region before heading to Antietam and Gettysburg.

Veterans often led these tours and captivated visitors with war tales. Over time shared stories of sacrifice and heroism helped heal some of the scars caused by the conflict. To rebuild their tarnished reputation, former Confederates helped build this narrative by emphasizing their battlefield exploits instead of secession.

Today, thousands of visitors still flock to local Civil War battlefield to better understand the conflict and how it affects their lives. Stop by the Truban Archives to learn more about this item and the Civil War in this area.

Civil War Excursion Train at Narrow Passage, undated, Shenandoah County Photograph Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia