Items in the MHS museum and library collections that help tell the human story of the Civil War inspired this exhibit. Battlefield relics, uniform parts, documents, letters, various objects, paintings, photographs, and evidence of post-war commemorative activities brought to life people and stories from the 1860s. The items people saved and passed on to descendants and ultimately to Maine Historical Society help us understand the variety of experiences of soldiers and civilians and the meanings the war had to those involved. A Memorial Wall presented the names of members of Maine regiments who died during the war. It listed their names, ranks, regiments, and hometowns. The wall also lists those who were missing in action. In addition, visitors read letters from soldiers, their families, and others, as well as listen to selected letters being read and to music of the Civil War era.