Drum Barracks Civil War Museum

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Drum Barracks Civil War Museum is a historic site located in Wilmington, California.


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Summary

The museum is housed in a former US Army post that served as the headquarters of the Union Army during the Civil War. Here are a few good reasons to visit the museum:

1. History: The museum offers a unique opportunity to learn about the Civil War from a West Coast perspective. Visitors can explore exhibits that showcase the role California played in the conflict, including the recruitment of soldiers, the transportation of supplies, and the defense of the coast.

2. Architecture: The Drum Barracks site features several historic buildings that are worth exploring. The most notable is the Drum Barracks Officers' Quarters, a beautiful Italianate-style mansion that was once home to the post commander.

3. Events: The museum hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including living history demonstrations, lectures, and reenactments. These events offer visitors a chance to experience Civil War-era life firsthand.

4. Gardens: The museum's grounds include several beautiful gardens that are open to the public. Visitors can stroll through the Victorian Rose Garden, the Native Plant Garden, and the Heritage Orchard.

5. Culture: The museum also hosts an annual Dia de los Muertos celebration that highlights the rich Mexican-American culture of the area.

Interesting facts about the Drum Barracks Civil War Museum include:

- The site was originally built in 1862 as a training and supply depot for the Union Army.
- The post was named after Lt. Col. Richard Drum, who was the assistant adjutant general of the Department of the Pacific.
- During the war, the post served as a hospital for sick and wounded soldiers.
- After the war, the site was used as a military prison and later as a quarantine station for immigrants.
- The museum was established in 1987 and is operated by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.

The best time of year to visit the Drum Barracks Civil War Museum is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the gardens are in bloom. The museum is open Thursday through Sunday from 10am to 3pm. Admission is free, although donations are accepted.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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