Washington, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001 US / DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The mission of the African American Civil War Museum is to preserve and tell the stories of the United States Colored Troops and African American involvement in the American Civil War. We utilize a rich collection of primary resources, educational programming and technology to create a meaningful learning experience focused on this pivotal time in American history. We hope your experience will be rewarding as you explore these 19th century heroes with us. The African American Civil War Museum was incorporated in 1992 to tell the largely unknown story of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) and African American involvement in the American Civil War. As a tribute to these soldiers, the African American Civil War Memorial was dedicated in July of 1998 under the leadership of Dr. Frank Smith Jr., and Colin Powell. The museum is home to countless Civil War era-related records and artifacts such as slave shackles, bill of sales, a Gettysburg musket and other items donated by decedents of former slaves. The museum also features a miniature model of the Civil War contraband camp that was visited by President Abraham Lincoln and sat on what is now U Street. The 5000 square feet venue features an exhibit showcase that is designed to give a maze-like continuous feel. The museum’s auditorium sits 60 people and holds 110 people standing once reconfigured. The entire museum holds 240 people at capacity. Accompanying the museum is a 16-foot tall bronze sculpture and commemorative wall that anchors the U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo Metro station and the greater U Street corridor. The Spirit of Freedom African American Civil War Memorial sculpture and its Wall of Honor serves as a reminder of the courageous story of the USCT. The sculpture portrays uniformed soldiers and a sailor with a family depicted on the back of the sculpture, and is situated in the center of a granite-paved plaza, encircled on three sides by the Wall of Honor. The wall lists the names of 209,145 USCT drawn from the official records of the Bureau of United States Colored Troops at the National Archives, on 166 burnished stainless steel plaques arranged by regiment.
Listed By: DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment
Location ID: #063-10094795
Photo(s): 4
DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment
Washington, DC US
Phone: 202.727.6608
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