PA Museums

Exploring the Civil War Tails Museum in Gettysburg

A collage of four images from the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum in Gettysburg, PA. The first image displays the museum's exterior at twilight, with the building warmly lit and the museum's sign visible. The second image shows a diorama of Kemper’s Advance during Pickett’s Charge with cat-like figures representing soldiers. The third image captures an interior view of the museum, with dioramas on display and framed historical prints on the walls. The fourth image features a naval battle diorama with cat-like figures on model ironclad ships. Each photo showcases the museum's unique blend of historical education and creative presentation.

If you’re looking for information about visiting the Civil War Tails museum in Gettysburg, you’re in the right place.

The front entrance of the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum in Gettysburg, PA, captured during the day. The museum is housed in a charming, historic two-story building with green shutters and a mansard roof. A sign in front of the building reads 'Civil War Tails at the Homestead Diorama Museum LLC' with an 'Open' flag beneath it. There's also an information board at the sidewalk's edge, introducing visitors to the museum's unique concept. The museum's exterior and signage invite guests to explore its distinctive exhibits featuring cat-like figures in Civil War dioramas. — Civil War Tails: a diorama museum where every soldier is depicted as a cat.

Civil War Tails is a distinctive museum where Civil War dioramas come to life with an intriguing twist: every soldier is depicted as a cat!

A close-up view of a diorama at the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum in Gettysburg, PA, depicting Mosby's Raid. Cat-like figures, representing Confederate guerrillas under Colonel John Singleton Mosby, are shown attacking a Union wagon train. The figures, in detailed Civil War-era attire, are on horseback surrounding a covered wagon. A description card in front of the diorama provides context to the historical event being portrayed by these feline sculptures. — Confederate raiders depicted as cats in gray uniforms.

This creative approach offers a fresh perspective on the historic battles of the Civil War, combining educational content with a touch of whimsy.

An aerial view of a diorama at the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum in Gettysburg, PA, depicting the battle around Little Round Top. The scene is filled with cat-like figures in blue and grey uniforms, engaged in combat amidst dense woodland terrain. Small flags, including both the Union Stars and Stripes and the Confederate Stars and Bars, are scattered throughout the diorama, marking the positions of the troops. Patches of cotton simulate smoke from the skirmish. This detailed diorama captures the intensity of the Civil War battle with a creative and whimsical portrayal using cat figures as soldiers. — The intensity of a Civil War battle depicted with a creative portrayal, using cat figures as soldiers.

The museum is housed in a building originally built in 1869 as part of The National Homestead, a school for the orphans of soldiers killed in the Civil War.

An informative plaque titled 'The National Homestead at Gettysburg' displayed at the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum in Gettysburg, PA. It details the history of the building that now houses the museum, originally constructed in 1869 as a dormitory for 'The National Homestead at Gettysburg,' a school for soldiers' orphans. The text includes the story of Sergeant Amos Humiston of the 154th New York Volunteers, who died at the Battle of Gettysburg and was identified through a photograph of his children found in his hands. A faded historical photograph of the homestead and a portrait of Sgt. Humiston with his three children accompany the text. The plaque commemorates the Homestead's past and the memorial dedicated to the Humistons in 1993. — Civil War Tails is housed in a former dormitory of The National Homestead school for Civil War orphans.

Directions | Hours | Admission Fees

The Civil War Tails museum is located at 785 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325.

Like many destinations in Gettysburg, the hours vary with the seasons – please check the Civil War Tails OFFICIAL WEBSITE for the most up-to-date days and hours of operation.

A unique diorama display from the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum in Gettysburg, PA, featuring an intricate battle scene where all human figures are whimsically replaced with cat-like figures. The scene depicts numerous cat-soldiers in blue uniforms, engaged in a historical battle formation, climbing over a stone fortress. They are armed with miniature rifles and cannons. In the background, a flag with the American stars and stripes flies high, indicating the setting of an American Civil War battle reimagined with feline participants. — The museum is open year-round, but has shorter hours in the winter off-season.

Admission fees are as follows: Adults: $6.50 | Children ages 6-12: $5.00 | Children 5 and under: FREE | Military (active and veteran), Police, Fire, EMT: $5.50

An interior view of the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum in Gettysburg, PA, displaying a variety of Civil War-era memorabilia. A vintage piano sits in the foreground, adorned with an open music book and a vase of red flowers. Above the piano is a large American flag and a model ship, creating a patriotic display. To the right, the room extends into an exhibit space with framed historical pictures, maps, and a glass cabinet filled with artifacts. The warm wooden floors and soft lighting evoke a sense of stepping back into the 19th century, complementing the museum's theme of historical dioramas with cat-like figures, which are not directly visible in this scene. — Memorabilia inside the museum.

Inspiration for the Museum

The inception of Civil War Tails can be traced back to the childhood hobby of twin sisters Rebecca and Ruth Brown, who began crafting cat-soldiers from modeling clay at the tender age of 11.

A photo of a newspaper article from 'The Washington Post' displayed at the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum in Gettysburg, PA. The article, titled 'In America, museums devoted to the quirky,' features an image of two women, presumably the museum's founders, holding a cat and smiling. Below them is an image of a diorama depicting a cavalry charge with figures replaced by cats. The text of the article, discussing various unique museums, is not fully legible in the photo. This exhibit highlights the museum's recognition for its distinctive approach to historical dioramas. — Framed newspaper article about the museum.

Their fascination with history and love for cats inspired them to create detailed dioramas, setting the foundation for what would eventually become a full-fledged museum.

A photograph of a book cover from the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum in Gettysburg, PA. The cover features the title 'Civil War Tails - 8,000 cat soldiers tell the panoramic story' in bold letters against a blue banner. Below, a dynamic scene from one of the museum's dioramas is depicted, with cat-like figures in Civil War uniforms amidst a wooded battlefield. Some hold flags, while others are in various poses suggesting movement and battle action. The names 'Ruth & Rebecca Brown' are prominently displayed, indicating the authors of the book. The cover illustrates the museum's unique approach to storytelling, where historical events are reenacted using cat figures instead of humans. — A book about the creation of the museum, available in the gift shop.

As the years passed, the quality of their dioramas and the intricacy of their clay cat-soldiers improved significantly, yet the charming concept of cat-soldiers remained a constant.

A close-up of a figurine from the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum in Gettysburg, PA, depicting General Winfield S. Hancock as a cat-like figure on horseback. The general, represented with a blue uniform and a slouch hat, is accompanied by a flag bearer also depicted as a cat, carrying a blue flag with a white cross and the number 2. Below the figurine is a quote card that reads 'Gen. Winfield S. Hancock "There are times when a corps commander's life does not count!"' This exhibit piece showcases the museum's unique approach to Civil War representation with cat figures. — My favorite Union General portrayed as a cat.

What You’ll See at the Museum

The Browns’ commitment to historical accuracy is evident in every diorama, despite the playful substitution of cats for human soldiers.

A close-up of a diorama at the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum in Gettysburg, PA, illustrating Kemper's Advance during Pickett's Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg. The diorama shows cat-like figures arranged in two lines of shoulder-to-shoulder infantry, with officers and file closers behind them. A descriptive label in front of the diorama explains the battle formation and notes that this scene includes 306 cat soldiers, representing part of two regiments of General James Kemper's Confederate brigade as they moved through Colonel E.P. Alexander's artillery on their way to the Union lines on Cemetery Ridge. — General Kemper’s brigade depicted as cas during “Pickett’s Charge.”

They pay meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that each scene realistically portrays the events of the Civil War, albeit with feline participants.

Photograph of a diorama at the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum in Gettysburg, PA, depicting General Meade's Headquarters during the Battle of Gettysburg. The diorama features cat-like figures in Union uniforms on a farm-like setting with a two-story house at the center. Surrounding the house are fences, fields, and trees, with some figures on horseback and others engaged in battle. Cotton is used to simulate gun smoke, enhancing the realism of the scene. This creative exhibit offers an imaginative retelling of a significant historical moment using cat figures to represent the soldiers. — Diorama depicting Union General Meade’s headquarters at Gettysburg.

The dioramas are carefully crafted to maintain a one-to-one scale, with each cat figurine representing an individual soldier, complete with period-accurate uniforms and equipment.

An intricate diorama at the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum in Gettysburg, PA, vividly portraying the battle at the Angle on Cemetery Ridge. The scene is bustling with cat-like figures in Union and Confederate uniforms amidst a chaotic battle, with some charging forward and others lying on the ground. Puffs of cotton simulate gun smoke, adding to the realism of the miniature battlefield. In the background, the museum's interior includes a window with curtains and a display case with additional artifacts. This diorama captures a crucial moment in Civil War history with a whimsical twist by representing the soldiers as cats. — Diorama depicting The Angle on Cemetery Ridge at Gettysburg.

Visitors to the museum have the opportunity to explore various famous Civil War battles through these unique dioramas.

Photo of a diorama at the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum in Gettysburg, PA, depicting the historic attack on Fort Sumter. The diorama features the fort with red walls and white detailing, surrounded by puffs of cotton to represent smoke from the battle. Miniature cat-like figures can be seen on the fort's walls, engaging in the conflict. The fort is situated on a textured base simulating ground and water, and an American flag stands atop the central building. The background includes informational posters on the museum wall, providing context to the scene. — Fort Sumter diorama.

Highlights include the Battle Between the Ironclads, the siege of Fort Sumter, and several key moments from the Battle of Gettysburg, such as Little Round Top, The Angle, and East Cavalry Field.

This is an image of a diorama at the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum in Gettysburg, PA, depicting the historic Battle of the Ironclads. The diorama features two model ironclad ships, the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia, on simulated water made from blue material. The USS Monitor is in the foreground with a puff of cotton simulating smoke from the cannon fire, while the CSS Virginia is partially submerged in the background. Miniature American and Confederate flags can be seen on the respective ships. Informational placards in the background provide context to the scene, although their text is not legible in this photo. The diorama aims to represent a pivotal naval engagement during the Civil War, with the unique twist of all figures being replaced with cat-like figures, although they are not visible in this particular shot. — Battle between ironclads diorama.

These 3-D representations allow guests to immerse themselves in the historical context, offering both a bird’s-eye view and a soldier’s-eye perspective of the combat scenes.

This image showcases a diorama from the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum in Gettysburg, PA, featuring an elaborate cavalry battle scene with all figures replaced by cat-like characters. The diorama is densely populated with cat-soldiers in blue uniforms atop a variety of horse figures, arranged in regimented battle lines. The feline soldiers are holding sabers aloft, and a few are carrying flags, including the American flag. The diorama captures a moment of intense action, with the attention to detail in the figures and horses conveying a sense of motion and urgency typical of a cavalry charge. — Cavalry battle diorama.

A portion of the museum is dedicated to Gettysburg’s sister city – Sekigahara, Japan.

An informational display at the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum in Gettysburg, PA, detailing the connection between Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA and its sister city, Sekigahara in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The exhibit includes a written history of the Battle of Sekigahara on October 21, 1600, a pivotal battle that led to the unification of Japan, and describes a visit by individuals from Gettysburg to Sekigahara to learn more about the massive battle. Accompanying the text are photos of a memorial site in Sekigahara and an ancient cedar tree, which is believed to have witnessed the battle. This display highlights the cross-cultural links and historical parallels between two significant battle sites from different parts of the world. — Exhibits related to Gettysburg’s sister city – Sekigahara, Japan.

These exhibits focus on the historical parallels between Gettysburg and Sekigahara, where in the year 1600 armies from East and West Japan fought a battle eerily similar to the 1863 battle between the North and South in Gettysburg.

A display at the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum in Gettysburg, PA, featuring a white banner with Japanese characters and various clan symbols above the silhouette of two samurai warriors, with the text 'Sekigahara 1600' in both Japanese and English. Below the banner is a detailed, colorful Japanese print depicting the historic Battle of Sekigahara, showing numerous figures engaged in combat across a sprawling landscape. This exhibit provides a cultural juxtaposition, linking the theme of historical battle reenactments with another significant conflict from world history. — A colorful Japanese print depicting the historic Battle of Sekigahara, showing numerous figures engaged in combat across a sprawling landscape.

Memorabilia related to the Battle of Sekigahara, including Japanese swords, a fan, origami cranes, and miniature figures of samurai on horseback are on display, along with informational cards provide context about the items and their significance to the historic 1600 battle.

A display at the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum in Gettysburg, PA, featuring memorabilia related to the Battle of Sekigahara. The tiered shelves hold an array of items including Japanese swords, a fan, origami cranes, and miniature figures of samurai on horseback. Informational cards provide context about the items and their significance to the historic 1600 battle. This exhibit complements the museum's theme of historical representation through detailed miniatures and cultural artifacts. — Memorabilia related to the Battle of Sekigahara.

Final Thoughts

Civil War Tails is more than just a museum; it’s a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in the Civil War.

An aerial view of a detailed diorama at the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum in Gettysburg, PA, representing the Andersonville prison. The diorama portrays numerous cat-like figures, dressed in blue and grey uniforms, scattered throughout a model prison camp. The camp features rows of small white tents, sparsely laid out across a dirt field with a surrounding wooden fence. This creative interpretation of a historical site uses feline figures to represent soldiers, providing an educational yet whimsical portrayal of Civil War history. — Diorama of the infamous Andersonville prison camp in Georgia, built to house Union POWs.

It also represents the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for the Brown sisters, who have successfully combined their passion for history, art, and cats into a memorable and educational experience.

This image captures a diorama from the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum in Gettysburg, PA, depicting a Confederate camp scene. Cat-like figures in Confederate uniforms are seen engaging in various camp activities. Some are resting by white tents, while others attend to horses or stand in formation. The diorama is rich in detail with textured terrain representing grass and a small stream running through the camp. The scene is a creative twist on historical reenactment, with each figure meticulously crafted to resemble a cat engaged in the daily life of a Civil War soldier. — A Confederate camp diorama.

The museum aims to honor the legacy of the Civil War’s heroes while engaging visitors of all ages, particularly children, with its innovative and entertaining approach.

Inside the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum in Gettysburg, PA, showcasing a spacious room with wooden floors and a large diorama on display. The diorama, depicting a Civil War battle scene with miniature cat-like figures, sits centrally on a table with historical photographs and paintings adorning the surrounding walls. The room is well-lit, with a chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and includes other museum exhibits in the background. This setting offers visitors an immersive experience into the reimagined history of the Civil War, blending traditional museum elements with unique artistic representations. — Little Round Top diorama.

Nearby Attractions

The Gettysburg Diorama & History Center recreates the famous Civil War battle using one of the largest military dioramas in the United States.

This collage features four images from the Gettysburg Diorama and History Center. The first image shows the stone-clad exterior with the center's signage. The second image provides an overview of the extensive battlefield diorama with visitors observing the scene. The third image is a close-up of the diorama, depicting a battle with miniature soldiers. The fourth image displays a life-size exhibit with a mannequin soldier in Union uniform standing beside a horse, enclosed by a white picket fence. Together, these images capture the educational and immersive experience offered by the center. — Scenes from the Gettysburg Diorama and History Center.

The Jennie Wade House is a historic landmark and museum that memorializes the life and untimely death of Jennie Wade, the only civilian killed during the Battle of Gettysburg.

A photo collage from the Jennie Wade House in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Top left is the house's exterior with the statue of Jennie Wade. Top right shows a tour guide in period attire inside the house. Bottom left depicts a bedroom with a bed and a quilt. Bottom right is the establishment sign of the Jennie Wade House from 1901. — Scenes from the Jennie Wade House.

The Gettysburg Museum of History is home to thousands of unusual artifacts and atypical antiquities from American history, and admission is FREE!

A photo collage from the Gettysburg Museum of History in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Top left shows the museum's street sign featuring an eagle and proclaiming 'FREE MUSEUM'. Top right depicts an exhibit with Civil War artifacts, including portraits and a chair. Bottom left is an interior view with various memorabilia and a large presidential seal. Bottom right presents military uniforms and World War memorabilia. Each image displays a part of the rich historical collection of the museum. — Scenes from the Gettysburg Museum of History.

The Shriver House Museum depicts the remarkable story of one Gettysburg family’s life that was forever altered by the Battle of Gettysburg and the Civil War.

A photo collage from the Shriver House Museum in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, showcasing various aspects of the museum. The top left image displays the museum's exterior: a two-story, red-brick house with green shutters and patriotic bunting. The top right shows an interior room with a fireplace, elegant furniture, and historical decorations. The bottom left reveals an attic scene with a rifle and period artifacts, and the bottom right features the museum's name along with historical family portraits, providing insight into the civilian life during the time of the Civil War. — Scenes from the Shriver House Museum.

13 Must-See Attractions in Gettysburg is your guide to even more great things to see and do near the Civil War Tails Museum.

10 must-see attractions in Gettysburg Pennsylvania. — Scenes from Gettysburg.

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