African American Civil War Memorial

The African American Civil War Memorial commemorates the service of the United States Colored Troops and other Black men and women who served and supported Union forces during the American Civil War. The site combines a figurative bronze sculpture and an inscribed memorial plaza with an adjacent museum.

The monument plaza lists and honors the names of those who served and is paired with the African American Civil War Museum, which houses artifacts, documents and interpretive exhibits about recruitment, military service and the wartime experience of African Americans. The memorial and museum serve as focal points for education and remembrance.

The memorial was established in the late 20th century and is managed by local organizations and partners; it is a frequent stop on historical tours of the Shaw and U Street neighborhoods. It is located in northwest Washington, D.C., within walking distance of major public transit routes.

• Number commemorated: The memorial honors roughly 209,000 Black soldiers and sailors who served in Union forces during the American Civil War; that number is memorialized on-site.
• Location context: The site is in the Shaw/U Street area of Washington, D.C., and is often visited together with nearby historic neighborhood sites and museums.

What to See #

• Memorial sculpture and plaza: A bronze memorial sculpture group honoring the United States Colored Troops, set within a plaza that lists the names and recognizes their service.
• African American Civil War Museum: The adjacent African American Civil War Museum presents documents, uniforms and exhibits about the service of Black soldiers and civilians during the Civil War era.