Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP / Getty Images
The My History Lives Here Black History Month series continues with the African American Civil War Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. — a powerful institution dedicated to honoring the more than 200,000 Black soldiers and sailors who fought for the Union during the Civil War.
Located in the historic U Street corridor, the museum stands alongside the African American Civil War Memorial, which bears the names of United States Colored Troops (USCT) who served between 1861 and 1865. These men — many of whom were formerly enslaved — played a critical role in preserving the Union and advancing the fight for freedom.
The museum preserves artifacts, photographs, and personal histories that document the courage and sacrifice of Black Civil War soldiers. It also highlights the broader story of how military service became a pathway toward citizenship, dignity, and expanded rights during one of the nation’s most defining conflicts.
As part of My History Lives Here, BIN is spotlighting institutions like the African American Civil War Memorial Museum — spaces that ensure these soldiers’ stories are not erased or forgotten. Their service reshaped the course of American history.
Because Black history didn’t begin with freedom. It helped secure it. And it lives here.
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