African American Civil War Museum

Tapping into the theme "From Civil War to Civil Rights," this project focuses on a woefully overlooked part of Civil War history: the significant contributions and sacrifices of people of African descent, both free and enslaved, who joined Union forces to fight for their freedom. Adjacent to the iconic African American Civil War Memorial at U Street, the companion Museum is the product of a decades-long struggle by founder Frank Smith to tell the “greatest story never told.” Located in the renovated gym of the historic Grimke School, this exhibit’s modular design will allow it to soon move into the newly renovated Grimke school right next door.