Old Court House Civil War Museum

the Old Court House Civil War Museum is the former Frederick County Courthouse building in downtown Winchester. It's located on Courthouse Square in the center of the Loudoun Street pedestrian mall. The 1840 Greek Revival building saw the city of Winchester change hands between Confederate and Union troops 72 times in the course of the war. During that time, the building was used variously as a barracks, a prison, and a field hospital.

Because literally thousands of soldiers were often jammed into the building, many left their marks behind in the form of graffiti on the walls of the second floor. The graffiti inscriptions of names, drawings, and sayings is carefully preserved and displayed behind glass in the newer overlay walls. It is a really interesting display and allows one to connect with the real people who were part of the Civil War. The museum has gone to great lengths to research the names written on the walls and discover who these men were and what happened to them. The largest writing is a lengthy curse upon Confederate President Jefferson Davis written by a Union soldier.

The museum also has more traditional displays of Civil War weapons and ordinance. The courtroom has been restored to its 1850s appearance. (The building was in use as the county courthouse until 1984.)

Admission is $5. Interior photography is permitted.