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African American Civil War Memorial

U Street (Shaw / Cardozo), Northwest Washington DC

Statue at the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC

Photo by David Coleman

Monuments & Landmarks
Shaw, War Memorials, Washington DC

The African American Civil War Memorial, in Northwest Washington DC at U Street, memorializes the United States Colored Troops involvement in the American Civil War. It’s paired with the African American Civil War Museum, which is just across the street.

Both of them have a clear mission: to restore the story of nearly 220,000 members of the United States Colored Troops into the broader story of the Civil War. It’s a neglected but important part of the history of the Civil War.

It commemorates the service of 209,145 African-American soldiers, about 7,000 white and 2,145 Hispanic soldiers, and their officers, amounting to nearly 220,000, plus the approximate 20,000 unsegregated Navy sailors, who fought for the Union in the American Civil War, mostly among the 175 regiments of United States Colored Troops.

The memorial was dedicated on July 18, 1998.

The Spirit of Freedom, by Ed Hamilton

At the heart of the memorial is a bronze sculpture by Kentucky-based sculptor Ed Hamilton titled The Spirit of Freedom. As you approach, the most striking part of it are the 8-foot tall uniformed figures facing outward in a semi-circle, three solders and a sailor, all members of the United States Colored Troops and all at alert.

They stand on a granite podium with an inscription that reads:

Civil War to Civil Rights and Beyond. This memorial is dedicated to those who served in the African American units of the Union Army in the Civil War. The 209,145 names inscribed on these walls commemorate those fighters of freedom.

Facing outward is a protective semicircle of uniformed soldiers of the Walk around the back, and you’ll see what it is they’re protecting, a depiction of a family with a solider heading off to war.

The sculpture was cast at the New Arts Foundry in Baltimore.1

Statue at the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC

Photo by David Coleman

African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC

On the back of the sculpture is a depiction of a family. Photo by David Coleman

African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC

Photo by David Coleman

Dedication at the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC

The inscribed dedication at the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC. It reads: “Civil War to Civil Rights and Beyond. This memorial is dedicated to those who served in the African American units of the Union Army in the Civil War. The 209, 145 names inscribed on these walls commemorate those fighters of freedom.” Photo by David Coleman

African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC

Photo by David Coleman

Statue at the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC

Photo by David Coleman

Statue at the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC

Photo by David Coleman

African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC

Photo by David Coleman

African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC

Photo by David Coleman

African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC

Photo by David Coleman

The Wall of Honor

Radiating out form the southern side of the sculpture are concentric, low semicircles of names etched into metal plaques–209,145 names, members of the United States Colored Troops.

Memorial Panel at the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC

A close-up of some of the names, these from the 5th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry. Photo by David Coleman

African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC

Photo by David Coleman

Names at the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC

Photo by David Coleman

The Plaza

The memorial’s plaza was designed by architects Devrouax and Purnell, and Edward D. Dunson & Associates.1 One thing you might not notice at first is that there are informational panels in the display case windows of the building facing the plaza.

African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC

Photo by David Coleman

Display Panels at the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC

There are also some information panels in the widows of the building facing the plaza. Photo by David Coleman

What to Know Before You Go

The African American Civil War Memorial is located in the U Street neighborhood (also known as Shaw or Cardozo). It’s located directly across the street from the African American Civil War Museum, and a visit to the museum makes for a natural complement to visiting the memorial.

There is street parking nearby, but availability varies widely depending on time of day and even day of the week. A far more convenient option is to go by metro–an entrance to the U Street station opens right onto the memorial’s plaza.

There are many good restaurants and bars nearby, but if you’re after something distinctly DC, Ben’s Chili Bowl is three blocks away down U Street and is a local institution with its own rich history.


  1. James M. Goode, Washington Sculpture: A Cultural History of Outdoor Sculpture in the Nation’s Capital (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008), p.534. ↩ ↩

Nearby & Related:

  • Exhibits in the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC
    African American Civil War Museum
  • Korean War Veterans Memorial Reflection, Washington DC
    Korean War Veterans Memorial
  • World War Two Memorial fountains at night
    National World War II Memorial
  • World War One Memorial in the Snow
    District of Columbia World War I Memorial
  • 02 copyright havecamerawilltravel com - National Museum of African Art
    National Museum of African Art
  • Apollo Theater Exhibit
    Smithsonian National Museum of American History

Washington DC Visitor Guides

If you're coming in from out of town, here are some of the most popular guidebooks that can help you make the most of your visit.

Lonely Planet Washington, DC (City Guide)
Lonely Planet Washington, DC (City Guide)
  • Lonely Planet (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon, Alexandria & Annapolis...
Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon, Alexandria & Annapolis...
  • Fodor's Travel Guides (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
Frommer's EasyGuide to Washington, D.C. 2020
Frommer's EasyGuide to Washington, D.C. 2020
  • Pratt, Meredith (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
  • Fortier, Alison (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon

And here are some interesting options for less traditional guidesbooks if you'd like an emphasis on exploring DC on foot or diving into some of the region's rich history.

National Geographic Walking Washington, D.C. (National Geographic Walking...
National Geographic Walking Washington, D.C. (National Geographic Walking...
  • NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
  • Kennedy, Barbara Noe (Author)
Check Price on Amazon
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
  • Fortier, Alison (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit.

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Location: Shaw
Coordinates:
      Latitude: 38.916744
      Longitude: -77.025838

      # Monuments & Landmarks
      # Shaw
      # War Memorials
      # Washington DC



About David Coleman

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living.

I’m based in Washington, DC.

You can find more of my work at havecamerawilltravel.com.

And if you’re visiting DC in the spring, be sure to check out my DC Cherry Blossom Watch site.

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

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If you already have a buyer account with Alamy and would prefer to use that, you can search my images directly here.

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