Discover the Sacrifice and Service of U.S. Military Chaplains in Wartime

Reopening for 2026!
The Chaplains Museum will open to the public 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, January 23.
We will resume regular hours Monday, January 26.
Visit the museum Mon-Fri 12-4:30 p.m. and Sat 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

National Civil War Chaplains Museum

Throughout American history, military chaplains have exemplified servant leadership in the midst of the challenges of division and war as they worked to meet the spiritual needs of men and women in uniform.

Located on the campus of Liberty University, the Chaplains Museum features an extensive collection of objects and artifacts that tell the stories of U.S. military chaplains in the camp, on the battlefield, and among prisoners of war. Visitors will learn how chaplains from diverse backgrounds have used a variety of means and methods to carry out their ministry during times of war.

About

Serving with a Unique Purpose

Founded in 2005 as a private organization, the Chaplains Museum is now part of the History Department at Liberty University. Our mission is to showcase the service of U.S. Military Chaplains throughout American history through historical research and the collection and preservation of related artifacts.

The museum also functions as a student laboratory for research, exhibit design, collections care, and special projects.

The Chaplains Museum:

Collects, preserves, and studies objects and documents related to military chaplains
Encourages student research in topics related to religion in wartime, specifically in the context of military chaplains and their ministry
Presents programs that highlight the role of chaplains and military service in shaping the spiritual lives of those who serve in the armed forces

Donate

Support the Chaplains Museum through an online donation or go to our Donate page to learn more about the types of donations we accept. Here, you’ll also get a glimpse into the history of the Chaplains Museum and learn about the supporters who have contributed to its growth

Donated funds will go toward acquiring, caring for, and interpreting items related to the service of U.S. military Chaplains and the religious lives of servicemembers. Donations may also support events and activities that further the mission of the Museum.

Give to the Chaplain’s Museum

As part of the History Department at Liberty University, the Chaplains Museum has become an active learning laboratory for students.

Learn More About Chaplain History

Students in the Chaplains Museum conduct research on the history of chaplains and objects in our collection. Learn along with them by reading our posts below and following us on Instagram.

Follow Chaplains Museum on Instagram

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Jan 20

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Come visit the Chaplains Museum, starting today January 23, 2026!

Help the Chaplains Museum expand our collection and add new exhibits! Look for the “Donate” section at the link in our bio.

#chaplainsmuseum #libertyuniversity #chaplain #militarychaplain

...

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Jan 7

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Spotlight on this 1942 class photo from the U.S. Army Chaplain School, then housed at Harvard University. One of the gradutes pictured here is Chaplain John G. Burkhalter.

Since 1775, military chaplains have been there for service members, offering spiritual support in the toughest moments. Early on, most were civilian ministers who volunteered during wartime. Over time, the chaplaincy became more professionalized with the first formal chaplain school established in 1918 at Fort Monroe, Virginia.

The Army Chaplain School has moved many times since—it`s now at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. The Navy (founded 1942) and Air Force (1953) each operate theory own separate chaplain schools

Chaplain Burkhalter trained at the Harvard school, graduating in November 1942. He went on to serve with the 1st Infantry Division on D-Day at Omaha Beach and later in Korea with the 51st Signal Battalion. When you visit the Chaplains Museum, look for his story among our exhibits!

Help the Chaplains Museum expand our collection and add new exhibits! Look for the “Donate” section at the link in our bio.

#chaplain #militarychaplain #WWII #HarvardHistory #USArmy

Images: A single class photo cropped in three sections. From the Burkhalter collection donated by the Giove family. ...

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Jan 1

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The Chaplains Museum wishes all current and former service members and their families a Happy New Year!

#HappyNewYear #chaplain #militarychaplain

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Dec 25

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The Chaplains Museum wishes all current and former service members and their families a very Merry Christmas!

#MerryChristmas #chaplain #militarychaplain

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Plan Your Visit to the Chaplains Museum

Monday through Friday 12:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Summer Hours (June, July, August)
Monday, Thursday, Friday 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The museum is located in the Jerry Falwell Library on Liberty University’s Campus. Learn more about our location and parking.

Explore

Devoted to Service

Historically, U.S. military chaplains have performed many roles. They have preached, acted as personal counselors, cared for the sick and dying, handled military postal services, administered literacy programs, and in some cases even joined in battle. View the following Chaplains Museum exhibits and research sources and explore our online collections catalog.

Introducing the Chaplaincy: A History of Service

Shiloh Chapel: Religion and the Bible in Times of War

Partners in Service: Service Organizations Partnering With Chaplains

Service to the Suffering: Chaplains' Ministry in the Hospitals and Prison Camps

Diversity in Service: Unifying With a Common Purpose

Service on the Battlefield: Chaplains in the Midst of Battle

Service on the Homefront: Chaplains Ministry to the Families of Service Members

Chaplains in the Service of the Gospel: Evangelism in the Military

Take the accessible-friendly route to the Chaplains Museum.

Location

Getting to the Museum

The Chaplains Museum can be found on the terrace level of the Jerry Falwell Library. The Library’s main exterior entrance is located at the southern end of the Academic Lawn.

Visitor parking passes are required daily excluding weekends. For further assistance or questions about the parking policy, see LUPD’s visitor parking information.

For directions to campus, shuttle information, and more, explore the university’s visitor’s guide.

Contact

(434) 582-7090

chaplainsmuseum@liberty.edu

Chaplains Museum

Liberty University Department of History

1971 University Blvd.

Lynchburg, VA 24515

Follow us on Instagram where we regularly share highlights from chaplaincy history.

Discover the Sacrifice and Service of U.S. Military Chaplains in Wartime

National Civil War Chaplains Museum

Throughout American history, military chaplains have exemplified servant leadership in the midst of the challenges of division and war as they worked to meet the spiritual needs of men and women in uniform.

About

Serving with a Unique Purpose

Donate

Learn More About Chaplain History

Click Images to Read Full Post

Plan Your Visit to the Chaplains Museum

Explore

Devoted to Service

Museum Exhibits

Research

Collection Catalog

Location

Getting to the Museum

Contact

(434) 582-7090