National Park Visitor Center

Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center

The National Park Service specifically identifies a Medal of Honor awarded to Maine artilleryman John F. Chase among the visitor center artifacts. The medal on display was Chase’s 1904 Gillespie-design exchange medal, donated by descendants; it is a genuine medal issued to Chase, though not his earlier 1862-pattern decoration. This precise provenance is more useful than an undifferentiated assertion that “a Medal of Honor” is present.

MOH-MUS-000071Evidence reviewed 2026-10-10Open to the public

Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center exteriorPhoto: U.S. National Park Service, public domain · Public domain (U.S. NPS) ↗ · Source ↗

Historical context

About this institution

The Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center is the interpretive gateway to one of the American Civil War’s most intense campaigns. Part of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, it combines exhibits, orientation films, ranger information and nearby battlefield trails. Artillery positions and infantry assaults are explained within a landscape that saw severe casualties and major changes in command during the May 1863 battle.

Why it matters to Medal of Honor research

The Park Service tells both the battle narrative and the later story of an award exchanged for the redesigned 1904 version, giving researchers unusually strong artifact identification. The original 1862-design piece is not the particular medal identified as on exhibition.

Collection guide

What to look for

The following highlights summarize the strongest verified reasons to include this institution in the archive. They are a planning guide, not a promise that every object is on view at all times.

John F. Chase genuine 1904-pattern Medal of Honor, donated by descendants

Battlefield exhibits and 22-minute orientation film

Nearby Jackson Wounding Trail

Artillery and Army of the Potomac historical context

Verified connections

Medal of Honor relationships

1 total1 original medal

Original Medal of Honor

John F Chase

The National Park Service states that John F. Chase’s genuine 1904 Gillespie-design Medal of Honor, exchanged for his earlier 1862 version and later donated by descendants, was displayed at Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center. Check current on-view status with NPS.

Record: FRSP 14120 (FRSP-00779); John F. Chase 1904 replacement award

Verified 2026-10-10 · Current, display status not specified

Evidence sources and scope

John Chase's Medal of Honor: NPS original artifact and visitor center display ↗National Park Service

Specific physical artifact is the genuine exchanged/reissued 1904 medal, not the first 1862 pattern. NPS description last updated 2020.

Collection focus

Historical specialties

John F. Chase original replacement medalBattle of Chancellorsville interpretive exhibitsCivil War artillery serviceBattlefield walking trailsPark Service artifact interpretation

Service connections

U.S. Army

Conflict connections

American Civil War

Visitor planning

Begin the battlefield visit at 9001 Plank Road for orientation exhibits, a film and ranger materials. The National Park Service describes John F. Chase’s genuine 1904 replacement Medal of Honor on exhibition in the visitor center; the exhibit description was last updated in 2020, so confirm availability with park staff before planning a medal-focused visit.

9001 Plank Road
Spotsylvania, Virginia, 22553
United States

Open location in OpenStreetMap ↗Official website ↗Current visitor information ↗Collection or exhibit information ↗

The artifact documented by NPS is Chase’s 1904 Gillespie-design replacement, not his original 1862-pattern medal.
Park Service article last updated 2020, recheck gallery availability before traveling.
Use official 9001 Plank Road visitor center entrance.
Map pin is located on the named museum feature; use official visitor directions for parking, gates, and accessible entrances.

Admission prices, opening schedules, installation rules, and object availability are left to the institution because they can change.

Access status

Open to the public

Map point: 38.31118, -77.65001 · Verified Openstreetmap Named Building

Institution sources

John Chase's Medal of Honor: NPS original artifact and visitor center display ↗National Park Service · Priority 1
Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center: visitor amenities and 9001 Plank Road ↗National Park Service · Priority 1
Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania NMP park hours ↗National Park Service · Priority 1
Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center named building tourism information ↗Mapcarta / OpenStreetMap · Priority 5

Archive standard

“Original Medal of Honor” relationships require direct source evidence. A location record is not described as a current public display unless the institution confirms display status.