Last updated: 7/10/2011
1925 Vermont Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
Monday - Friday
10 AM - 5 PM
Slavery to Freedom: Civil War to Civil Rights
The Museum's permanent exhibition portrays the extraordinary African American struggle for freedom in the United States.
We encourage business associations, schools, family reunions, and other groups to visit us here at the African American Civil War Memorial and Museum 1000 and 1200 U Street respectively. When visiting the museum you will see prints from Harper's Weekly and Frank Leslie's Illustrated elucidating the role of African Americans throughout the Civil War. You will also find photographs, newspaper articles, and replicas of period clothing, uniforms and weaponry. Additionally, you will see on display several unique items including an 1834 bill of sale for a young girl in Wilcox County, Alabama.
To schedule a tour of the African American Civil War Museum, please call us at 202-667-2667 (groups of less than five need not call ahead). The tour entails a 15 to 30 minute lecture highlighting the contributions of African Americans during the Civil War followed by a question and answer period. Upon request we supplement the lecture with our award-winning documentary "Fight for Freedom," which details the formation of the USCT, and their role in the abolishment of slavery. At the conclusion of the presentation, our visitors are encouraged to view the display at their leisure, taking time to appreciate the contributions of these remarkable soldiers.
If you have a love of history and working with people, becoming a docent volunteer for the African American Civil War Museum may be the right place for you. We are currently accepting applications for volunteers. Our New location is at 1925 Vermont Ave NW Washington, DC 20001, across the street from the African American Civil War Memorial.
One of the greatest wrongs in the telling of American history has been suppressing of the story of these soldiers and sailors. Their story is the story “a glorious march to liberty.” Visitors to this exhibit will learn about this glorious march and be inspired by their legacy of courage, leadership and service to all Americans.
In January 1999, the Civil War Memorial Museum opened to the public. Using photographs, documents and state of the art audio visual equipment, the museum helps visitors understand the African American's heroic and largely unknown struggle for freedom. The museum is located two blocks west of the Memorial in the historic U street corridor. To assist visitors, researchers, and descendants of USCT, the Museum also offers important educational and research tools.
Following are available:
Descendants Registry: Tracing their lineage from USCT, more than 2,000 descendants have already supplied family trees, letters and other documents to the African American Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation Registry. Visitors receive help in their search
The Gladstone Collection: Unrivaled, unique, worth more than $2,000,000 and priceless for those who want to understand the significance of USCT in the Fight for Freedom in the United States, this is one of the largest collections assembled about black part
Interactive Kiosks: Interactive Kiosks combining historic documents with photos and music will facilitate visits from large tour groups and students, and will enhance the visitor experience for everyone.
Following are available:
Computer Search for Your Soldier:
Computer Search for your soldier via computers to the Internet and the National Park Service Civil War Soldiers and Sailors web site. The CWSS Names Index identifies black troops, along with their regiments, regimental h
Compiled Military Service Records for United States Colored Troops: The Museum seeks funding for a document imaging project to duplicate the National Archives CMSR microfilms and to purchase readers and printers. Using CMSR microfilms, users can retrieve i
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is
provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as
to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc.
and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such
use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.