Canton Historical Museum designated as a Civil War site on the New England Civil War Discovery Trail

The New England Civil War Heritage Foundation has designated the Canton Historical Museum as a site for the New England Civil War Discovery Trail based on its collection of Civil War memorabilia.

First, is a John Brown pike. John Brown came to the Collins Company in 1858 and ordered 1,000 of these pikes ostensibly to arm citizens in Kansas for protection against pro-abolitionists. The intention, however, was to use them in the raid at Harper’s Ferry which ended in the demise of John Brown and an event which precipitated the Civil War.

Other items on display at the museum include Civil War officers’ swords and bayonets, a pistol, grape shot, a black wedding gown worn during the Civil War, and one of the most popular items in the collection: a cast iron casket used for transport of soldiers killed in battle or who died otherwise, if they could afford it. The casket, designed by Dr. Almond D. Fisk of New York, was patented in 1848. Its main feature was that it was hermetically sealed which prevented decomposition.

These items are on permanent display at the Canton Historical Museum located at 11 Front Street in Collinsville which is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1-4 pm.

Hours of Operation

Images of the Museum