African American Civil War Memorial, wall of honor and sculpture honors the American Civil War service of African American soldiers and sailors
The African American Civil War Memorial is a monument in Washington, D.C., comprising a tall bronze statue and engraved walls. The statue depicts three figures moving forward together representing unity, while the walls contain the names of more than two hundred thousand soldiers who served in the United States Colored Troops.
The memorial was officially dedicated in July 1998 following years of effort by the African American Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation. It was later transferred to the National Park Service, which now manages and maintains it.
The memorial's name directly references African Americans who fought in the Civil War and redefined their role in the nation's story. Visitors can read the engraved names and see statues depicting soldiers in motion, reflecting the determination of these men.
The memorial is easily reached by Metro at the U Street station nearby. The location in the U Street neighborhood allows visitors to combine the visit with nearby parks and other historic sites.
The adjacent Grimke School building houses a museum with personal stories of soldiers including photographs, uniform replicas, and artifacts from the era. The museum maintains a registry of descendants where thousands of family trees are documented and searchable.
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