American Civil War history comes alive in West Virginia, the only state to be born from that tragic conflict. Relive past events at the more than 20 Civil War sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, or plan a road trip that includes the 18 Civil War Discovery Trail Stops.
Walk where history was made
Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, where abolitionist John Brown made his daring raid in 1859
Philippi Covered Bridge and Historic District, where the first land battle of the Civil War took place on June 3, 1861
The Birthplace of General “Stonewall” Jackson and the childhood home of Civil War spy Belle Boyd
Towns that were caught in the middle of the fighting, including Fayetteville, Shepherdstown and Lewisburg
Visit the hallowed ground of cemeteries like Grafton National Cemetery, established in 1867 as a final resting place for the men who died during the Civil War, and the now-peaceful battlefields of Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, Rich Mountain Battlefield and Laurel Hill Civil War Battleground, which give silent testimony to one of the most trying times in our nation’s history.