An unusual souvenir for a Civil War veteran or his family, particularly one who spent time as a prisoner of war. An old warehouse building in Richmond, Libby Prison became famous, or rather notorious, as a prison for Union officers. The place was remembered for one large escape attempt in which 109 men tunneled their way out, but better known for its unhealthy conditions and mortality rate. Union prisoners were transferred to Macon in 1864, but the structure remained fixed in popular memory, at least in the north, and as a business venture was disassembled, transferred to Chicago and rebuilt as a war museum in 1888 to house the famous Gunther Civil War collection. The operation folded around 1899 and pieces of the structure were sold as souvenirs, many significant elements like prison doors and barred windows ending up in various historical societies around the country.

Here is an example of one of the more portable souvenirs made from the structure, a polished wood gavel made from the flooring of the building, which still bears its original paper label reading: “This piece of wood is / a part of the original / floor of Libby Prison / Building. – Jno. Ransom, Manager”. Overall length is 8 ½”; the head of the gavel is 3 ¼” high and just over 1” in diameter.

Displayed in a glass top Riker case along with two vintage illustrations of the building intact on it original site, this would go well with a display of veteran and prisoner of war material, but is also reminder of the ways veterans and the country at large dealt with some painful memories- part hallowed relic; part commercial venture.  [sr]

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