CSS Neuse Civil War Museum

CSS Neuse Civil War Museum CSS Neuse Confederate ironclad ship and the history of Lenoir County and eastern NC in the Civil War. Queen Street on June 23, 2012. Vernon Avenue.
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The CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center showcases the State’s largest historic artifact and state of the art exhibits. The remains of the CSS Neuse and the associated artifacts were relocated to a fully enclosed and climate controlled facility at 100 N. After years of planning and hard work the museum held its grand opening on March 7, 2015. The CSS Neuse was a Confederate Ironclad that was us

ed in the Kinston, NC area during the Civil War. The ship was built at White Hall (now Seen Springs, NC) in 1862 and was completed in Kinston in 1864. The Gunboat was involved in the Battle of Wyse’s Forks (just outside of Kinston headed toward New Bern) before being scuttled by her own crew on March 11, 1865. The ship was recovered from the Neuse River by a few local men with help from the community between 1961-63. The State of North Carolina acquired control of the CSS Neuse in 1964 and the site officially opened in 1966 at 2612 W.

06/22/2026

Tune in and enjoy episode three of "Minute History Monday" by Latham Waters.

Fun Fact Friday: June 19, 1864, the USS Kearsarge sank the famous Confederate commerce raider CSS Alabama in a dramatic ...
06/19/2026

Fun Fact Friday: June 19, 1864, the USS Kearsarge sank the famous Confederate commerce raider CSS Alabama in a dramatic ship-to-ship battle off the coast of Cherbourg, France. Marking the end of a two-year campaign in which the Alabama destroyed dozens of Union merchant vessels across the globe from the Gulf of Mexico to the Indonesian archipelago. Pictured (Captain Raphael Semmes (foreground) and his executive officer, Lieutenant John M. Kell (background), on the deck of Alabama during a visit to Cape town in August 1863. and Officers and crew of the USS Kearsarge after the battle.)

Yesterday we had the pleasure of having the Whispering Pines Retirement Community join us at the museum. Thank you so mu...
06/18/2026

Yesterday we had the pleasure of having the Whispering Pines Retirement Community join us at the museum. Thank you so much for coming out! We had Mr. Jim taking the lead with Robin, Maggie and Randi who helped with the group.

06/18/2026

Sign up and participate in our Adult Summer Reading Program and receive these fun Program Perks all summer long! Go to neuselibrary.readsquared.com to sign up today!

06/17/2026

What's in the Vault Wednesday, Episode Two, Grappling Hook!

Yesterday we had the honor of having the Kennedy House join us for some fun activities! Thank you so much for joining us...
06/17/2026

Yesterday we had the honor of having the Kennedy House join us for some fun activities! Thank you so much for joining us! The toys and games are always a hit. Graces, cup and ball, Jacob's ladder, nine pins and stick and hoop. Then it was time to analyze an artifact. The two artifacts we chose were an oarlock and ship's pulley. It was fun guessing what they might be used for and if we still use them today, but in a different form. We had our interns Maggie and Robin help as well as Andy and Randi.

06/15/2026

Minute History Monday!

Rachel, Randi, Robin, and Maggie had a great time with outreach at the Onslow County Library today!
06/13/2026

Rachel, Randi, Robin, and Maggie had a great time with outreach at the Onslow County Library today!

Fun Fact Friday: June 12 1861. The end of Battle of Big Bethel, fought on the Virginia Peninsula, is recognized as the f...
06/12/2026

Fun Fact Friday: June 12 1861. The end of Battle of Big Bethel, fought on the Virginia Peninsula, is recognized as the first significant, planned land battle of the American Civil War. North Carolina troops played a major role in the battle, earning the state the historical nickname "First at Bethel". 1st North Carolina Volunteer Infantry (under the command of Colonel D.H. Hill) was the backbone of the Confederate defense at Big Bethel. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Confederate forces decisively repelled multiple Union charges, resulting in a rout. First Casualty: During an assault, Private Henry Lawson Wyatt (pictured) of the 1st North Carolina was killed in action, making him the first Confederate soldier to die in combat during the war. ( Illustration made from a sketch of the confederate defenses at Big Bethel.)

06/10/2026

Welcome to our "What's in the Vault Wednesday!"

Address

100 N Queen Street
Kinston, NC
28501

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12525269600

Website

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