African American Civil War Memorial

The African American Civil War Memorial honors African American servicemen in the Civil War.

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Amenities

3 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Public Transit, Wheelchair Accessible

The African American Civil War Memorial in Washington, D.C. is a powerful tribute to the more than 209,000 men – primarily from the United States Colored Troops (USCT), but also white officers, Hispanic soldiers, and unsegregated Navy sailors – who fought for the Union during the Civil War.

At the center of the memorial stands a 9-foot bronze sculpture known as The Spirit of Freedom, created by sculptor Ed Hamilton, depicting Union infantrymen and a sailor defending freedom. On the reverse side is a poignant scene of a soldier leaving behind his family, symbolizing the sacrifices made by African American communities. Behind the statue the curved “Wall of Honor” is inscribed with the names of those who served, organized alphabetically by regiment.

Located at the corner of Vermont Avenue, 10th Street, and U Street NW — just steps from the U Street/African American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo Metro station — the memorial sits in the historically rich U Street neighborhood. Commissioned by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities in 1993 and dedicated in 1998, the memorial was transferred to the National Park Service in 2004.