New England Civil War Museum Adds a Key Item to its Collection

The New England Civil War Museum has added an important piece of local Civil War history to its collection.

The museum is located on the second floor of the Vernon Town Hall in a fully preserved Grand Army of the Republic Hall. It is run by the Alden Skinner Camp No. 45, Sons of Union of Veterans.

The camp has has acquired a CDV of its namesake. The “Carte De Visite,” or visiting card, is a small photograph about 2 inches by 4 inches in size.  CDVs were very popular during the Civil War-era and were calling cards traded amongst friends and relatives.

Museum Director Matt Reardon said that, “It’s a very exciting acquisition.  I hope that we are able to find more of his personal items and bring them back to Rockville.”    

Camp Commander Hank Cullinane added, “Getting the Alden Skinner CDV is bringing a part of history home. We hope to continue this effort through the coming year and bring what has been lost through the years back to its proper home.”

Skinner was a local doctor who enlisted in the Union Army in the fall of 1862 at the age of 64.  

He was commissioned a surgeon in the 25th Connecticut Regiment and went with them to Louisiana in the winter of 1862-1863. Returning from the Port Hudson during a heavy rainstorm in March 1863, Skinner contracted malarious typhoid. He was transferred to the General Hospital in Baton Rouge and died there on March 30, 1863.  

He was laid to rest at the Grove Hill Cemetery in Rockville.

The CDV is scheduled to be unveiled to the public during a ceremony at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 1 at the New England Civil War Museum. The ceremony is open to the public.