The Civil War brought together men from all parts of the country, and with a variety of backgrounds and traditions in music and other leisure activities. Games of all sorts, including the earliest forms of baseball, were shared by men desperate to put to one side the boredom of camp life and terror of combat. And it is often argued that it was in these exchanges that a truly American culture first began to emerge. Our Museum includes a wide variety of material reflecting this confluence. Musical instruments and sheet-music of the time, but also a wide variety of games including chess-sets and playing cards reflect the richness and diversity of backgrounds and interests these men brought to the camps.