The CSS Virginia was the first steam-powered ironclad warship of the Confederate States Navy, built during the first year of the American Civil War; she was constructed as a casemate ironclad using the raised and cut down hull of the scuttled USS Merrimack. Virginia was one of the participants in the Battle of Hampton Roads, opposing the Union's USS Monitor in March, 1862. The battle is chiefly significant in naval history as the first battle between ironclads. Prior to that encounter on March 9th, the Virginia had sunk the Cumberland and the Congress on the previous day before the arrival of the Monitor. The fight between the two ironclads was basically a draw and the Virginia moved back into her port. With the capture of Norfolk, her Captain Catesby ap Roger Jones was ordered to destroy her rather than allow her to be captured which he did on May 11th, 1862 after her guns had been removed for future use.

Starting around 1883, numerous souvenirs, made from recently salvaged iron and wood raised from Virginia's sunken hulk, found a ready and willing market among eastern seaboard residents who remembered the historic first battle between ironclads. Known examples still exist today, being held in both public and private collections, rarely coming up for public auction. The specimen of wood from the Virginia in this display came from an old collection of relics including those of the Virginia. Display measures 11" X 14", double matted in gray and red, certificate of authenticity included.

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