2026 Essay Contest

Essay Subject

The Civil War Museum of Philadelphia (CWMP) invites eligible entrants (See Eligibility) to submit essays covering any subject (battles, leaders, society, legislation, military, politics, economy, ancestry, etc.) related to the American Civil War era from Fort Sumter (April 1861) to Appomattox (April 1865). 

Word Count Limit

Essays are limited to a total of 1,500 words. Essays with word counts above this limit will be disqualified. Works cited are not included with the word count. 

Prizes

Winner (One): $1,000.00

Honorable Mention (One): $500.00

Finalists (Five): $100.00

Eligibility

High School students as of the Contest Deadline (See below) are eligible.

Font and Page Style

Essays must be submitted in 12-point, Times New Roman font, double-spaced, with one-inch margins at the top, bottom, and sides. Submitted in PDF format.

Essay Email Subject Line and PDF file name:

CWMP Essay Contest-Applicant First Initial. Applicant Last Name-Essay Name. 

Example: CWMP Essay Content – J. Doe – “Philadelphia and the Underground Railroad”

Email subject line must match PDF file name.

Organization

Essays must have an introduction, body, and conclusion with a clearly stated, well-developed thesis statement supported by historical evidence.

Research and Works Cited

Applicants are encouraged to utilize the on-line search engine of the two-dimensional collection located at the Union League in Philadelphia.  Essays should be free of any margin notes but should cite sources as necessary. 

Essay Submission

Eligible applicants may submit their essays beginning September 29, 2025 via the CWMP website @ essaysubmissions@civilwarmuseumphila.org. Submissions must also include the name of the applicant's school, expected graduation year and how they became aware of the contest.

Contest Deadline

February 16, 2026 (President’s Day).

Judging

The CWMP Board of Governors and invited guests will select a pool of finalists from which an eminent historian will choose the Winner and Honorable Mention out of the group of Finalists. 

Essays will be evaluated for their historical rigor, the clarity of their style, their use of sources, and their qualities of imagination and investigation. The winner will be determined only after final judging is complete.

Additional consideration will be given to essays that feature historical figures and events with ties to the City of Philadelphia and/or use of primary source material (e.g. letters, artifacts, photographs, newspaper articles).

Essays determined to have used Artificial Intelligence or plagiarism will be disqualified from the contest.

Notification and announcement of Essay Winner, Honorable Mention and Finalists

All CWMP Essay Contest participants will be notified no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on April 9, 2026.  All Finalists will be invited to attend an awards ceremony in June at which time the Winner and Honorable Mention will be announced and the prizes awarded.

The Essay Winner, Honorable Mention and all Finalist essays will be posted on the CWMP website without reference to the author's name or school.