Video: Starkville Civil War Arsenal

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) — A Civil War arsenal is one of the best kept secrets in North Mississippi. For over 40 years a Starkville museum curator has collected an impressive display of Civil War artillery used by both the north and south.

Although situated in confederate country south of the Mason-Dixon, museum curator Duffy Neubauer dresses in a blue wool Yankee uniform, and lectures on artillery used by both sides in the war between the states.

“And I always ask the group coming in would they like to have a union soldier as their guide or a confederate soldier as their guide. And I let them take their pick. Today we are a union soldier,” said Duffy Neubauer/Museum Curator.

Neubauer boosts of being one of three museums of civil war era field artillery carriages where all of the specialized rolling stock can be viewed at the same time and place.

“I’d like to think so. I’ve had people from 27 states. I’ve had people from the National Park Service. I’ve had people from the Smithsonian and I’ve had people literally from all over the country, and they all tell me that when they come so they are always pleasantly surprised when they come and see whats all here,” said Neubauer.

A crude 1864 newspaper drawing gives museum goers a good feel of what it must have been like on the battlefield and the many wagons, cannons, and other supplies were kept ready for use when needed.

Civil War experts and other curators are saying Neubauer’s arsenal collected over a 40 year period, is 100% authentic from the civil war era.

“Three of the tubes in here are original guns. And there are some original parts on some of these carriages,” said Neubauer.

To get an idea of how two enemies fought on battlefields across Mississippi, visiting the Civil War Arsenal just may be something to place on your to-do- list. To make an appointment for touring the museum call 662-323-2606.