The Civil War was one of the darkest periods in American history. To better understand the people and events of that terrible time, it’s helpful to visit the battlefields, homes and historic places where the war unfolded. Fulfilling its role as America’s storyteller, the National Park Service preserves over 75 of these locations. By no means a complete list, below are a few of the many places that help tell the story of the Civil War from beginning to end.