African American Civil War Memorial and Museum, Military history museum and memorial in Shaw neighborhood, Washington D.C., United States
This memorial and museum in Shaw honors African American soldiers who fought in the Civil War, commemorating roughly 200,000 service members in the Army and Navy. A large bronze statue depicts the soldiers, with surrounding walls completely filled with names.
The site opened in 1998 to finally acknowledge the overlooked role of African Americans during the war. It represents a late but significant recognition of their service in the nation's military history.
The names inscribed on the walls reflect how families passed down stories of service through generations, creating a living archive of personal sacrifice. Visitors often spend time searching for individual names, connecting directly with the people behind each inscription.
The location is easily reached by public transportation and offers guided tours daily along with special programs throughout the year. Visitors should allow time to walk through slowly and explore the walls at their own pace.
The walls contain more names than any other war memorial in the world, making it an extraordinarily comprehensive record. This remarkable collection earned recognition from Guinness World Records in 2024.
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