US Civil War: Cycloramas as Art, Entertainment & Memorial

Cycloramas were the zenith of art and entertainment in their heyday -- 50 feet high and surrounding you from all sides. These traveling exhibits required specially constructed buildings and were as immersive as modern virtual reality.
Some of the most famous cycloramas depicted Civil War batteries like Gettysburg and Atlanta. In fact, you can still see a Gettysburg Cyclorama at the National Historic Site. An expert from James A. Garfield National Historic Site discusses the role of Civil War cycloramas as art, journalism, entertainment and memorial.