African American Civil War Museum
Located in the U Street district of Washington, D.C., the African American Civil War Museum pays tribute to the contributions of the 209,145 United States Colored Troops. Located in the nation's capital, the museum honors the service and sacrifices of these men and women. You can visit this museum with your friends and family at 1925 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001.
​
The museum is a unique experience, thanks to its African American and Civil War exhibits. The museum uses a large amount of informational panels to convey a variety of stories. It also houses historic items, period-piece clothing, and Civil War weaponry. During your visit, you may also want to pay a visit to the nearby African American Civil War Memorial.
There is a resource room at the museum for families to learn more about the role of African Americans in the war. The museum also offers a list of resources for research on the war and ancestors. More than 2,000 descendants of African Americans have contributed letters, family trees, and other documents that help visitors find their ancestors.
​
The African American Civil War Memorial is the only national monument of its kind. It honors the sacrifices of the more than two hundred thousand members of the U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War. The memorial also features the Spirit of Freedom sculpture by Ed Hamilton. Designed by Washington architects Devroux and Purnell, the African American Civil War Museum is located nearby at 12th and U streets. The museum offers a variety of exhibits, programs, and other activities. It also maintains the Freedom Foundation Registry.
The USCT was a federal army regiment formed in 1863. The USCT consisted of about one-tenth of the Union Army. During the war, the USCT was meant to be an auxiliary force, but they made an impact on the battlefield. One example is the 1st South Carolina Regiment, led by white colonel Thomas Wentworth Higginson. This unit helped capture Jacksonville. Another example of an African American hero is Captain Andre Cailloux, who led the 3rd Louisiana Native Guards.
The US government also began to embrace more inclusionary policies for African Americans in the armed forces. The United States War Department created the Bureau for Colored Troops on May 22, 1863. This unit was directly under the Adjutant General's Office. It was staffed with officers and oversaw recruitment and enrollment of black soldiers. It also issued regimental numbers under the designation of USCT.
The African American Civil War Museum pays tribute to the contributions of these men and women. The museum contains over 200,000 names of those who served during the war. It also highlights the contributions of the African-American soldiers, as well as the enslaved people. After the war, these men and women continued to face discrimination. Some of these men and women were even blamed by some Northern soldiers for the civil war.
Some of the American soldiers who made an impact on the history of the United States Civil War include Charles E. Nash, a sergeant major in the 82nd Regiment of US Colored Troops. His service in the war earned him a Medal of Honor.
​