If you are a Civil War buff, you might be interested in a newly opened museum in Kennesaw, Georgia. It features "The General" a locomotive that is famous for it's role in "The Great Locomotive Chase." The General also picked up a few more headline when Choo Choo fans in Georgia took Tennessee to court to force the return of the engine to Georgia. The old veteran of The War* was on display in the Chattanooga railroad station for many years, but now resides in downtown Kennesaw. (That's the new name for the railroad stop formerly know as "Big Shanty.")

But back to the museum. It replaces an older building that had housed The General and it has been open only about a month. It is Big, with a capital B and is filled with Civil War artifacts, some related to the Chase. There is also a lot of attention paid to the foundry where The General was built. Machine tools of the era are restored to perfection and there is even a 25 minute movie about the chase. I've seen a few Hollywood versions of the Chase, and this one is shorter but better.

Also featured at the museum is the Lacy hotel, where the Chase began. You will enjoy the diaramas, antique weapons, uniforms, and a large collection of photographs which includes many from the war period. We took three of our grandchildren (ages 5, 8, and 14) and they loved it. Allow at least two hours, longer if you are a history buff.)
Howard
* The term "Civil War" is the most commonly used name for the conflict otherwise known as "The War Between the States," or The "American War for Southern Independence." Civil War buffs usually just refer to it as "The War," as if it needs no other name. These same people will speak of World War II, or the Spanish American War, or the American Revolution, but The War is the one that took place in the early 1860's.