National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus

National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus is at 1002 Victory Dr. This 40,000-square-foot museum houses the remains of two Civil War vessels: the ironclad CSS Jackson, and the gunboat CSS Chattahoochee, a steam-powered sailing ship. The museum also contains re-created sections of the USS Monitor, the ironclad CSS Albemarle, and Adm. David Glasgow Farragut’s flagship the USS Hartford, which visitors can enter to experience what shipboard life was like then. A multimedia show simulates a battle aboard an ironclad. Included on the Port Columbus campus is a full-scale reproduction of the USS Water Witch, a 160-foot Civil War side wheel steamship.

Murals depict the various craft designed for river, coastal and deep-water warfare. A chronology of the Civil War at sea is illustrated by eight wall panels. Historic items displayed include rare firearms, a uniform coat of the officer who commanded the CSS Virginia (Merrimac) when it fought the USS Monitor, and approximately 2,000 square feet of Civil War naval-related flags from ships and coastal forts throughout the South. Temporary exhibits also are offered.

An audio tour by cellphone is available.

Time: Allow 1 hour minimum.