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    Drum Barracks Civil War Museum

    4.3 (27 reviews)
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    Cannon
    Isobel L.

    Drum Barracks Civil War Museum is, to use a much over-used phrase, a hidden gem. It's located in the last remaining building of military barracks that were to house military personnel during the Civil War in Los Angeles. And, it was named after Lt. Col. Drum and housed actual solders, not just military drummers as I mistakenly thought. Apparently, Southern California was a hotbed of Confederate sympathizers and the Union Army in its wisdom took strong steps to keep Confederate soldiers at bay. Thank goodness. You will learn a lot more about California and Los Angeles history when you visit. ***The museum can be seen on a scheduled tour only.*** Please consult the website for hours. Our docent Liz was informative, knowledgable and answered all the questions posed to her. The tour takes you within the living quarters of the soldiers and each room is furnished in historical style. A true highlight for me was being able to see a document with an actual Abraham Lincoln signature. My favorite president ever. Check the website here for info and tour times: http://www.drumbarracks.org/index.php/en/visit-the-drum-barracks/tours There is a gift shop with tons of books on Civil War history, as well as souvenirs. Free ample parking in the lot. Street parking. ($5 donation requested.)

    Entrance archway
    Jenn J.

    This is a small civil war museum that rests in an old drum barrack. The building is in good shape, with well maintained wood paneling, wooden stairways and original glass in the windows. Rooms house well preserved furniture, clothes, munitions and other personal effects from previous tenants. Museum is good for a 30-60 min trip for those with young kids. I can see adults taking longer to really read the descriptions and talk with the docents. While the barrack is sizable, the lot on which it rests is not. To the left and right, the museum is flanked by regular residential housing. It's kind of weird to peak past the fence and see a modern house with kid swing. Or to look out the windows and see the sidewalk packed full of parked Toyotas, Hondas, Fords, etc. We came for a special Christmas event where men were dressed in Civil War uniforms and ladies were dressed in hooped Victorian dresses. A horse drawn carriage took kids around for a small ride down a few blocks. No photography indoors. I broke this rule in the name of Yelp. Enjoy!

    Marisol R.

    Definitely enjoined this tour! The tour guide was extremely educated and informative of all the history pertaining the city of Wilmington before and after the Civil War. Tons of actual artifacts both original to the house and location and to the 1800s, wonderful replicas, pictures, displays etc.. The tour guide takes you into each room one at a time and goes into amazing detail. The intense smell to history is amazing, what you see, smell, feel, truly creates an amazing connection and understanding to history. We were attracted to this location because we have heard it is haunted, although we didn't see any apparitions you could definitely hear sounds all over the house when it was just us four and our tour guide. Each room had the sent of very old items, but the entertainment room definitely smelled the strongest and you strangely smell a fresh smell of cigars! Our tour guide was awesome enough to let us in on her experiences while working there as well as the experiences her coworkers have had. We cant wait to come back during the Halloween candle light event tour they offer. We also heard it is very fun during their Christmas event and a civil war reenactment event. I truly recommend this place, I believe they have two tours a day on Saturday and just request a small donation of your choice.

    Civil War Technology Fair  June 2019
    Simie S.

    Can say enough about the Drum Barracks Civil War Technology Fair this year. Thanks to all who make it possible. Looking forward to next years event. Great learning experience for the whole family.

    Skittle R.

    Great place and had fun at their Civil War Technology Event. Everyone was so passionate and did a great job sharing their knowledge. My dad appreciates the accuracy of the history they shared.

    Drum Barracks from Banning Blvd side
    Steve H.

    There are few things on this earth that interest me less than the Civil War, so the first time I went to the Drum Barracks I pretty much had to be dragged, whining all the way (and I'm an old codger), dreading endless recitations of who fought whom at the battle of such-and-such. Fortunately, our guide and docent was most enthusiastic, full of such rich gems of history, local folklore and stuff you wouldn't expect, that I was captivated. Some of the rooms have been done over to display a Victorian bedroom (where the commanding officer might have slept), a Victorian parlor (with the most wonderful old square pianos), and an upstairs room full of rifles, bayonets, daggers and other instruments of mayhem, including a huge and mesmerizing Gatling gun. There's a well-stocked (euphemism for 'crammed to the rafters') library where one can browse, look at pictures, or seriously research any ancestors who may have fought in the conflict; hallways with photos of camels and gaunt bearded men and severe-looking women; and another room tricked out as a typical campsite, where one can marvel at the primitive and frankly awful conditions under which the soldiers lived for months at a time. All this was so much more than I expected that I've been back on multiple occasions, and there's always something new to be seen, from the hundred-year-old climbing rose vine to the peculiar wooden leg worn by somebody or other. On various occasions they really gussy the place up (Christmas in particular comes to mind, though there are several celebrations during the course of the year) and invite "re-enactors" who show up in Civil War uniforms and pitch their tents, as the museum's female staffers don hoop skirts and go floating about like giant tea cozies. Often there's even live period music, played on the square pianos, violins and concertina. I suppose there's a great deal of educational value to be had here, but frankly I'm just in it for the entertainment, of which there is even more. Definitely worth a visit.

    Eddie C.

    I've long heard about this place. I remember it from a piece on Unsolved Mysteries. It's supposedly haunted by US Union soldiers. So with that said I was looking forward to our visit. They have set your times and those are the only time you are allowed to see the house. We had a young girl leading our tour. I really expected a docent or something. Anyway, I thought she seemed to be very knowledgable and was nice. The most interesting part of the tour was a document with Abraham Lincoln's signature on it. Apparently you enter on the back of the house. The tour does take you to the front entrance but only for a quick minute. I wish I had more time to take in the front. Nothing as far as ghosts go, not a mention by our tour leader. I saw no ghosts either. Also, there are no pictures allowed inside. I did however sneak in a few. All in all it was a nice experience.

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    8 years ago

    A very interesting and educational place. I would love to come back for a private tour. Kind of small though

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    Review Highlights - Drum Barracks Civil War Museum

    . There is an extensive library of Civil War records (both Union and Confederate) and resource books

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    Banning Residence Museum - Banning Museum reception area

    Banning Residence Museum

    4.3(45 reviews)
    0.4 miWilmington

    We came to the Banning Mansion for their 1874 Victorian Christmas celebration. For no charge we…read moretoured the mansion, rode in a horse drawn carriage, toured the one room school house, saw amazing period carolers, snacked on delectable delights and traditional coffee, saw incredible Victorian dancing and MORE You can book a tour any time of year! Right in the heart of Wilmington!

    The tour at the Banning Museum was an absolute fiasco…read more We arrived at the front house and were told the tour started in a building behind it. The welcome staff sorta chided us saying there was a sign with a pointing hand showing where to go, but all four visitors interpreted the sign as pointing toward the front door of the house instead. Once we found the correct building, my husband realized he had left his bag in the car. I told the guide I'd wait outside while he grabbed it. When he came back, they told us we had to pay $5 each. He handed over $20, and the Tour Guide immediately seemed irritated that we didn't have exact change and had to go get change from another room. Strange energy from the beginning. Then she announced to the room of... four visitors... that the tour was "running late" and starting behind schedule. The tour was scheduled for 1:30 PM. It was literally 1:33 PM. She explained the rules and specifically said, "No photography in the house." While we were still in the reception building, I took photos of the displays and the family tree. She suddenly scolded me and said photography wasn't allowed at all. I clarified because she specifically said "in the house," and we were not in the house yet. She doubled down and said no photography anywhere. Fine. I immediately put my phone away and even checked that my ringer was off so there would be zero disruption. Then we walked to the front yard of the house. Everyone stood in the grass, but I stayed nearby on the sidewalk because ants tend to crawl on and bite me. I could still hear her perfectly and remained with the group. Suddenly she stopped the tour again and looked visibly distressed. She told me I should leave if I was uncomfortable. I reassured her I was fine and wanted to continue the tour. At that point, she started breathing heavily, covered her face with her hands, then held up her hand in a "stop" gesture and announced that SHE was uncomfortable continuing the tour. I asked if she was saying she wanted me to leave because she felt uncomfortable. My husband finally said we should just go because it was obvious she no longer wanted us there. We got our money back, ironically the same money exchange that supposedly caused the entire massive 3-minute delay. Also worth noting: the website says the $5 is a voluntary donation, but in person it was presented as mandatory. Her treatment of us and reactions felt disproportionate to the situation. We were polite, cooperative, and excited for the tour, yet left feeling singled out and unwelcome. Really disappointing because my husband and I were genuinely looking forward to learning about the history.

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    Banning Residence Museum - Banning Museum reception area

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    Banning Museum reception area

    Drum Barracks Civil War Museum - museums - Updated May 2026

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