Many Civil War regiments kept a mascot, which was usually a dog, horse, sheep, or mule. However, Company C of the 8th Wisconsin Infantry carried arguably the most famous Civil War mascot: Old Abe the bald eagle. During the war, stories of the eagle’s exploits were common and after the war he lived in the State Capitol and attracted thousands of visitors. Materials from the Wisconsin Veterans Museum collections have been chosen to illustrate the role of Old Abe in the Civil War and his post-war role as a patriotic symbol.

Highlighted in this exhibit are wartime images of Old Abe and his handlers, a feather from the eagle, a “beak autographed” carte de visite, a personal account by Abe’s pre-war owner, a look at monuments that feature the eagle, and groups that use Old Abe as a logo.