CIVIL WAR MUSEUM

South Mountain State Battlefield seeks to preserve and interpret the first major Civil War battle to take place in Maryland. Fought on September 14, 1862, the Battle of South Mountain was a critical turning point in the American Civil War. The Union victories at South Mountain and Antietam (fought three days later) led President Abraham Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. Several notable historic figures have influenced South Mountain’s history, including General Edward Braddock, George Washington, William McKinley, Rutherford B. Hayes, Robert E. Lee, George B. McClellan, and George Alfred Townsend.

Penza Bailey Architects was responsible for the renovations of three visitor facilities and development of the new Civil War museums within each of those facilities. PBA is coordinated with the Department of General Services, the Department of Natural Resources, Park representatives, Civil War historians, and the Maryland Historic Trust. Each facility included interpretive exhibits, new floor, wall, and ceiling finishes, upgraded electrical and HVAC systems, replacement of doors/windows, special exhibit lighting, and ADA modifications.