Christmas and the Civil War

Join us at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine on Sunday, December 14 at 3:00 PM as volunteer Brad Stone, portraying a Civil War Santa, discusses the history behind the celebration of Christmas during the Civil War. Brad Stone as Civil War Santa at the National Mu......More

Join us at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine on Sunday, December 14 at 3:00 PM as volunteer Brad Stone, portraying a Civil War Santa, discusses the history behind the celebration of Christmas during the Civil War. Brad Stone as Civil War Santa at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. (Photo by Melissa A. Winn) The Civil War shaped the way we celebrate the holiday season in the United States in surprising ways. One of the most surprising is the depiction of Santa Claus, as Civil War era illustrator Thomas Nast toyed with images of the jolly elf during the conflict that evolved into the Santa we know today in the United States. Brad Stone served with the federal government as a senior public relations executive dealing with a wide variety of public health issues.  He led the public relations operations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). He currently combines his interest in the Civil War and medical history by volunteering as a docent on a regular basis at both the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, MD and aboard the USS Constellation in Baltimore Harbor.  He has given presentations on a variety of Civil War topics at a number of institutions including the Gettysburg Heritage Center and the U.S. Navy Museum at the Navy Yard in Washington, DC. He also recently appeared on C-SPAN3 American History TV talking about the Civil War’s impact on shaping the modern American Christmas holiday. Like these programs? Consider supporting our efforts by becoming a member or donating to the Museum! Your efforts ensure that we can continue sharing the story of Civil War medicine.

National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 East Patrick Street, Frederick, MD, 21705

Museum Closed for Private Event

The National Museum of Civil War Medicine will be closed to the public for a private event. The Museum store will be open regular operating hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 East Patrick Street, Frederick, MD, 21705

Museum Closed for Cleaning and Maintenance

The National Museum of Civil War Medicine will be closed January 12-14, 2026, for cleaning and maintenance. We will resume regular operating hours on Thursday, January 15 at 10 a.m.

National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 East Patrick Street, Frederick, MD, 21705

How Civil War Medicine Killed President James Garfield

When an assassin’s bullet struck James Garfield in July 1881, the battle to save the president’s life began. In the weeks that followed, doctors argued over how to treat the stricken executive. In the end, Dr. D. Willard Bliss, a former Civil War surgeon, took control o......More

When an assassin’s bullet struck James Garfield in July 1881, the battle to save the president’s life began. In the weeks that followed, doctors argued over how to treat the stricken executive. In the end, Dr. D. Willard Bliss, a former Civil War surgeon, took control of Garfield’s recovery and controversy has surrounded his role ever since. Historian Jake Wynn will discuss the history of Garfield’s recovery and how antiquated techniques learned by Dr. Bliss during his Civil War experience played a role in James Garfield’s death in September 1881. Jake Wynn is the Senior Marketing and Communications Manager at Visit Frederick and the former National Museum of Civil War Medicine Director of Interpretation. He is a 2015 graduate of Hood College, with degrees in history and communications arts. He has formerly worked with Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, and the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area. The presentation is included with admission to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine and FREE for NMCWM members.    

National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 East Patrick Street, Frederick, MD, 21705