Cats, clay, and Civil War history? As soon as I heard about the Civil War Tails at the Homestead Diorama Museum in Gettysburg—where tiny clay cats bring key Civil War moments to life—I knew I had to check it out. It’s such a quirky, weird concept, and totally up my alley.
So, when Destination Gettysburg invited me on a Christmas in Gettysburg press trip, I drove in a day early just so I could visit this unusual museum.
Why Cats?
The Civil War Tails museum is run by twin sisters, Rebecca and Ruth Brown, and I asked Rebecca about the cat theme as I wandered through the dioramas on display.
It all started with a childhood love for cats and history. Rebecca said, “We always pretended we were cats. We cat-ified everything. So Lee and Grant automatically came out as cats. And then we got into the Civil War.”
Their playful experimentation turned into a lifelong project and, eventually, this one-of-a-kind museum in Gettysburg.
Tiny Cats, Big Stories
The first cats were about 2 inches tall, crafted from Plastilena—a non-hardening modeling clay. Over time, the twins experimented and got more precise, moving to a 1-inch scale and eventually settling on a smaller 3/4-inch size. These days, they use Sculpey III, a polymer clay they bake in a toaster oven.
Purr-fectly Crafted Dioramas
The Brown sisters work hard to ensure the dioramas are as historically accurate as possible. That accuracy extends to everything from placement scale to uniforms to terrain.
For example, the Little Round Top diorama—completed in February 2024—features over 2,600 hand-sculpted rocks. Between researching in their personal library of over 500 history books and taking pictures from the battlefield, they painstakingly recreated the rocky outcrop where Union and Confederate forces clashed, all to scale, using clay.
All of the dioramas don’t necessarily depict earth-shattering moments in war; instead, they’re scenes that have caught the interest of one or both of the twins.
Don’t miss the diorama that doubles as a fun game of I-spy! It features two different types of clay and a mix of store-bought and handmade clay horses. Can you spot all the differences?
More Miniature Masterpieces: A Peek at the Other Dioramas
Cats Bring History Home
What struck me most during our conversation was how the dioramas impact visitors. Rebecca says the cats add an unexpected layer of empathy to their scenes.
A horse getting hurt? Heartbreaking. The same goes for these tiny clay cats. When visitors see the little bleeding kitties in the dioramas, it tugs at their hearts. And then, something clicks—they start thinking about the soldiers those cats represent. Funny enough, the cats make the story more powerful than if the figures were just humans.
The museum draws a mix of visitors—history buffs, families, casual tourists, and cat lovers. Even park rangers and battlefield guides have stopped by, impressed by the level of detail and dedication on display.
Final Thoughts
The museum isn’t just about Civil War history or cats; it’s about passion, creativity, and the power of storytelling. The sisters are incredibly dedicated, and each diorama takes months (or even years) to create, and they continually tweak and update them when they find out additional facts.
Add this fun museum to your itinerary if you’re ever in the Gettysburg area. Whether you’re a history buff, a cat enthusiast (like me!), or someone who loves the unexpected, the Civil War Tails dioramas are a must-see. There’s nothing else quite like it!
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Know Before You Go
Address: 785 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Hours: Mon-Sat, closed Sundays. Regular hours: 11 am—8 pm, winter hours: 1 pm—7 pm. Some holiday closures.
Admission: Adults: $7, Children ages 6-12: $5, Children under 5: FREE
Parking: Metered street parking.
Gift Shop: Yes! You’ll find goodies like t-shirts, calendars, books, mini infantry, and flagbearers for sale. Some time-intensive items are only available through custom orders (like cavalry).
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