McCormick Civil War Institute

Educate, Engage, Empower, Encourage

The McCormick Civil War Institute (MCWI) strives to promote a nuanced understanding and appreciation of the causes for, conduct of, and resulting outcomes of the American Civil War through education, engagement, empowerment, and encouragement. MCWI conducts, collaborates on, and supports educational venues; engages a broad array of partners, supporters, and audiences in a journey of understanding and appreciation; empowers individuals and organizations to promote understanding and appreciation; and encourages the development, resourcing, and conduct of programs and events that advance this vision.

Learn More About MCWI

MCWI publishes Journal of the Shenandoah Valley During the Civil War Era annually. Essays examine a wide array of topics related to the Civil War era, broadly defined, in the Shenandoah Valley. The Journal is available for sale at a variety of bookstores, museums, and historic sites throughout the Shenandoah Valley. Additionally, it may be purchased online. All proceeds from the sale of Journals directly supports MCWI’s various programs, interpretive efforts at the University’s River Campus at Cool Spring Battlefield, and unique educational opportunities for our students.

Submit an Essay for the Journal

MCWI is always looking for essay submissions or original scholarship. Submissions can be emailed to jnoyalas01@su.edu and should not exceed 10,000 words in length (including footnotes).

Purchase the Journal of the Shenandoah Valley During the Civil War Era

Noyalas’ New Book Details African American Experience During Civil War

April 8, 2021

Jonathan Noyalas ’01, M.A., director of Shenandoah’s McCormick Civil War Institute, recently published his book “Slavery and Freedom in the Shenandoah Valley During the Civil War Era.” Officially released April 6 by University Press of Florida, the … [Read More...]

App Uses Augmented Reality To Recreate History

March 24, 2021

A new app that recreates scenes from the 1864 Battle of Cool Spring is now available for download. Through Their Eyes is a collaboration between Shenandoah’s McCormick Civil War Institute and the Shenandoah Center for Immersive Learning (SCiL). The … [Read More...]

Check out C-SPAN for Episodes on American History

March 19, 2021

Throughout March, C-SPAN’s American History TV has been featuring presentations in which Director of the McCormick Civil War Institute Jonathan Noyalas, ’01, M.A., talks about various Shenandoah Valley-related topics. Check out the … [Read More...]