FAQ

• What is here to do?

  • We have two buildings. The museum is three floors of artifacts. It is self-guided. The White House of the Confederacy is the restored home of Jefferson Davis. The Davis family lived there during the war. It is only available through a guided tour. Tours of the house are are taken on a regular schedule during each day.

• Where does the White House tour start?  

  • Tours for the White House meet at the appropriate time at the front of the lobby by the visitor services desk. The guide will meet the group promptly.

• How long will it take?  

  • The house tours average 40-45 minutes but may take longer depending on the number of questions asked. Because it is self-guided the amount of time you spend in the museum is largely up to you. Most people will spend somewhere between an hour and an hour and a half. As a rule the average person will spend about 2 hours seeing both buildings.

• Do you validate parking?       

  • We do validate parking for the hospital parking deck next door to the museum. Bring in your ticket and we will validate it. The deck does not charge on weekends and most major holidays.

• Is there a good place to eat lunch? 

  • There are many. The museum’s front desk staff can offer suggestions and directions.

• Do you have anything of  ____________’s? 

  • Visitors frequently want to know if we have anything belonging to their favorite Confederate leader or soldier. The easy ones are: Lee, yes; Jackson, yes; Stuart, yes, and these items are on display. To find out if we have anything belonging to a particular soldier, contact the Museum’s Collections Department at (855) 649-1861, ext 115 or e-mail us. If the object is not on display, you may arrange an appointment to view it.

• If I don’t finish can I come back tomorrow?

  • Yes you can. If you cannot finish your visit today, the front desk staff can give you a pass to come back another day. You must let them know which day you intend to come.

• May I do research in the Library?  

  • The library is open by appointment only. Please see the library page for information on scheduling an appointment.

• Can I see something in the collection?

  • As with the library, the collections department is open by appointment only. Information on scheduling an appointment can be found on the collections page.

• Can we call a cab?      

  • Cab service is not very reliable in Richmond. We have had very little luck getting cabs to come to the museum. The closest place to potentially catch a cab is at the Richmond Marriott at 6th and Broad. This is a fairly short walk from the museum.

• Where are you located? How much does it cost? What are your hours?   

  • Click here for hours, admission and directions.

• How do I set up a group tour for adults? For children? 

  • Click here for information on arranging an entertaining and educational experience for your group. There is also special information just for teachers available.

• Do you have a discount?

  • Yes. The Museum offers admission discounts, including ones for senior citizens (62 and over) and AAA members.  Members, active duty military (with ID), and children under the age of 7 are free. To learn more about admission tickets, click here.

• May I receive information on the Museum and White House?

  • Yes. Information requests can be placed by calling the Museum at (855) 649-1861, ext. 111 or send what information you are looking for in an e-mail.

• How can I get to Monument Avenue? Tredegar Iron Works? Hollywood Cemetery? the Virginia Capitol? the Interstate?

  • The Museum and White House of the Confederacy are located nearby all these Richmond area attractions. Directions to these sites, as well as numerous others, may be picked up at the visitor services desk in the Museum.

• May I make a reservation for an upcoming event?

  • Yes. Contact information for special events along with information on the event is located on our Calendar of Events page.

• When and where will there be reenactments?  

  • A schedule of upcoming reenactments and other historical events is available in the publication “Virginia’s Civil War” available at no charge in the museum lobby or visit http://www.civilwartraveler.com/.

• Does the museum store have a catalog?  

  • The Haversack Store does not have a catalog, but most items can be viewed and purchased online. Email them if there is something you would like, but don’t see listed.

• What other Civil War sites would you recommend?   

  • The Richmond area is full of exciting options relative to Civil War history. The Richmond National Battlefield Parks that surround the city allow visitors to tour the sites of such battles as Cold Harbor, Malvern Hill, Seven Pines, and Drewry’s Bluff as well as many others. In addition the National Park Service maintains a center on the site of the Confederate Chimborazo Hospital complex. The main interpretative center for the National Battlefield Parks is housed at the restored Tredegar Iron Works and features several displays and interactive exhibits. The Virginia Historical Society is another site that has an interesting presentation of the Civil War period. Petersburg, only a thirty-minute drive to the south, also has several museums and battlefield parks.