Muscatine and the Civil War

Muscatine and the Civil War explores the extraordinary commitment of Muscatine County residents, who sent more men to the Union cause than any other Iowa county, and experienced the war’s sacrifices firsthand. Centered on the vivid letters of Muscatine soldiers Daniel J. Parvin and Charles T. Ruger, the exhibition brings military life to the present through original documents, personal artifacts, and a re-created battlefield campground. A striking visual projection of Parvin reading from his letters helps visitors encounter the realities of camp life, from medical care and daily duties, to the political debates that shaped soldiers’ views. Additional highlights - including mustering rosters, belongings of local soldiers, and a rare Civil War flag - reveal the profound impact the conflict had on the Muscatine community.