Visiting The African American Civil War Memorial Museum
The monument in Washington, DC is the only national memorial to Colored Troops in the Civil War
. The "Spirit of Freedom" sculpture stands ten feet tall and features uniformed black soldiers and a sailor.The sculpture is surrounded by a Wall of Honor, a memorial listing the names of 209,145 United States Colored Troops (USCT) who served in the Civil War. The museum displays photographs, newspaper articles, and replicas of period clothing, uniforms and weaponry.
At the center of a granite-paved plaza encircled on three sides by the Wall of Honor is the Spirit of Freedom sculpture. Unveiled on July 18, 1998, the sculpture stands ten feet tall and features uniformed black soldiers and a sailor poised to leave home.
Women, children and elders on the cusp of the concave inner surface seek strength together. Designed by Ed Hamilton of Louisville, Kentucky, this is the first major art piece by a black sculptor to be placed on federal land anywhere in the District of Columbia.
The African American Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation Registry documents the family trees of more than 2,000 descendants of those who have served with USCT. Visitors can search for relatives who have registered in the Descendants Registry.
In January 1999, the 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's permanent exhibition portrays the extraordinary African American struggle for freedom in the United States. The Gladstone Collection is one of the largest collections assembled about black participation in the Civil War.
William Gladstone spent more than 20 years locating the well cataloged pieces that have been the subject of several books and major exhibits. In order to hold the Gladstone Collection together, the African American Civil War Memorial and Museum is soliciting funds for its purchase.
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. When visiting the museum you will see prints from Harper's Weekly and Frank Leslie's Illustrated elucidating the role of African Americans.
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.
The exhibit is comprised of eight panels, the introductory panel and seven panels with historical photographs and documents, excerpts of Harpers Weekly, excerpts from letters and diaries from soldiers and sailors. The second panel is entitled "Slavery and the Union," and it examines slavery as a divisive issue leading up to the Civil War.
The third panel "Spies of the Rebellion" identifies an African American organization that provided spies for the Union from the beginning of the war. "Union Cry for Help," panel four, examines the military situation that led to the issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation and the creation of the Bureau of United States Colored Troops.
The fifth and sixth panels are entitled "Soldiers and Sailors," and they share the story of these American freedom fighters in their own words and as reported in Harpers Weekly. The seventh panel "Liberators and Defenders" chronicles the successes of these freedom fighters as defenders of the US Constitution liberating enslaved Americans by enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation.
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. Touring the museum is free of charge, however donations are encouraged.
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