The National Confederate Museum, located at the Southern Heritage Center in Columbia, TN, is owned and operated by the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV). The Southern Heritage Center is the home for the National Confederate Museum, Historic Elm Springs, the final resting place of General and Mrs. Nathan Bedford Forrest, and the headquarters of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. The museum, Elm Springs, and the expansive grounds are open for tours as noted herein.

The National Confederate Museum is owned and operated by the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV). Witnessing the decline in authentic historical representation of the South’s struggle during the War for Southern Independence (1861-65) by many National and State “Civil War” parks, the SCV became aware of the need to tell “the rest of the story” about the South’s struggle for its independence. Therefore, the SCV began construction of its museum, which was dedicated and opened to the public in 2020. SCV members and non-SCV donors have provided the entire cost of this multi-million-dollar project. NO governmental funds were sought or spent to build and furnish this museum. This was done to provide the TRUTH without any politically correct or woke influence corrupting the truth about the Confederate States of America and Southern history. A foundational principle of the SCV is that Southern history is an integral part of American history. All traditional American values will ultimately suffer if we allow a corrupt version of Southern history to be presented unchallenged. Our museum is not just a collection of cannonballs and uniforms; it is the story of the South, from 1607 to the present day. Come and learn about a culture, a history, and a people who are seldom given a chance to tell their story—it is an honorable part of America’s story!

Historic Elm Springs, an impressive Greek Revival antebellum mansion built in 1837, is also located at the Southern Heritage Center, as well as the
final resting place of General Nathan Bedford Forrest and his wife. The museum, antebellum home, and grounds are open for tours. Historic Elm Springs is not only open for tours but often used as a setting for weddings and other special events. Visit our Southern Heritage Center and view monuments dedicated to President Jefferson Davis, Generals Robert E. Lee, and General Forrest. Tour Elm Springs, and of course, tour the National Confederate Museum.

Take this journey with us.
Support the museum as a donor or join the Friends of the Museum today!