National Civil War Naval Museum celebrates America 250

History was celebrated today in more ways than one. A crowd of almost 800 visitors attended the National Civil War Naval Museum’s Independence Day celebration at Port Columbus on July 4, while wishing America a Happy 250th birthday.

The Battle of Columbus was a pivotal Civil War engagement fought on April 16, 1865. Often cited as the last major land battle east of the Mississippi River, this Union victory destroyed the Confederacy’s critical industrial and naval manufacturing center spanning Columbus, Georgia, and Girard (now Phenix City), Alabama.

The main highlight at the museum is the CSS Jackson,  the largest surviving Confederate ironclad warship. Workers built this 180-foot steam-powered “ram” in Columbus. Confederate forces burned and sank it in 1865. Divers recovered it in the 1960s. Next to it are the salvaged hull remains of the CSS Chattahoochee, and an interactive, full-scale replica of the Union flagship USS Hartford. 

“This is important for our heritage,” said Sam Ruffner.

Ruffner has served on the board of the museum for four years. 

“The flag display that has been added, and the vessels there which tell history stories of Columbus and other navies are important for our community and our country.”

This year also marks the 25th anniversary for the museum. It first opened in 1962 on 4th Street as the James W. Woodruff, Jr., Confederate Naval Museum. It later moved to its current 40,000-square-foot facility at 1002 Victory Drive on the Chattahoochee River in 2001, expanding its mission to cover both Union and Confederate navies.

The experience was also enhanced with the patriotic music performed by the legendary Bob Barr Community Band. A community band with a history in itself. Established in 1988, named for the national award winning Jordan High School Band Director, Robert Barr, this group consists of many volunteer musicians. The Bob Barr Community Band has performed for thousands of people through its existence, including the 1996 Summer Olympic events in Columbus.

The band performed for an hour and a half and the crowd loved every minute, especially inside with the AC blasting.

The concert was followed by a cannon firing across the Chattahoochee River just behind the museum. There are several Civil War-era cannons at the museum. One of the 7-inch Brooke rifles recovered from the USS Jackson, in a position overlooking the river, is operational. Reenactors fire the gun two or three times a year. 

Guests were invited to bid on firing the cannon today. The winning bidder, putting up $350, now has a story for his grandchildren.

The younger visitors plugged their ears once the cannon fired. I should have done that also.

Happy 4th and Happy America 250! For more information about the National Civil War Naval Museum, click here.