WIRRAL has been named as an official American Civil War Heritage Site.
The borough is only the second district in the world outside the USA to be awarded the status.
Wirral was jointly awarded with Liverpool by the Whitehouse-sponsored Civil War Preservation Trust
Confederate warship CSS Alabama was built in Cammell Laird's Number Four Dry Dock, while the last formal surrender of the American Civil War occurred aboard the CSS Shenandoah off the coast of Tranmere more than six months after the end of the war in 1865.
Argyle Buildings in Brassey Street were the scene of pro-emancipation meetings and the Union had a small depository in Tower Buildings in Liverpool run by Barings Bros Bank while its consulate was based in the city's Water Street
Councillor Pat Hackett, Wirral Council cabinet member for economic regeneration and community planning, said: "This is a great honour for Merseyside and strengthens our historic bonds with the United States.
"There is no understating the importance of the part played by Wirral and Liverpool in the American Civil War. Though history may frown on some aspects of Merseyside's involvement - it is an honour that the region has been awarded prestigious American Civil War Heritage Status.
"This recognises Merseyside's historic links to both sides."
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