African American Civil War Memorial Museum
African American Civil War Memorial Museum
African American Civil War Memorial Museum
4.5
About
The African-American Civil War Museum and Memorial was created to tell the story and pay tribute to African-Americans who fought in the Civil War.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Upper Northwest
How to get there
- U St • 4 min walk
- Shaw – Howard University • 6 min walk
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2,263 within 3 miles
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585 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
104 reviews
Excellent
66
Very good
25
Average
9
Poor
2
Terrible
2
worldexplorer53
New Orleans, LA647 contributions
Jan 2020
contrary to a previous review we would say that there is a lot here. the history of the african american role in the civil war is huge. while this museum in no way rivals the smithsonian for grandeur and expense of its exhibits, there is still a powerful lesson of history to be learned. the "living history" actor posing as a member of an african american army regular was fun as he showed us the use of the arms of that unit and answered questions. allow about 1 hour. there is no entry fee.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stéphanie R
Quebec City, Canada12 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
We left this museum really impressed. The perfect amount of information and the way the subject is covered makes this visit essential to your next trip in Washington. A must if you want to understand the black community ‘s reality.
Written August 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brianabulls
Miami, FL401 contributions
Nov 2019 • Family
The African American Civil War Memorial is a really cool sight. It isn’t just one sided so you can walk around a get multiple views. Surrounding the monument are silver plaques dedicated to African Americans that fought in the war. Our tour guide told us that Michelle Obama found one of her relatives on a plaque.
Written April 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SueFee
Sterling, VA12,478 contributions
To see the African American Civil War Memorial, take Metro (either the green or yellow line) to the U Street/Cardozo/African American Civil War Memorial Stop. Exit the station at 10th Street and you will be right at the memorial. The statue isn't very big but very well detailed and very moving. There is an outdoor area to sit. It's definitely worth a visit, as is the U Street Corridor itself.
Written March 29, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelergirl998
Washington DC, DC3,097 contributions
Sep 2014 • Solo
This museum reads like a 6th grade history textbook. Most of the concentration of this museum is on slavery itself and the civil war with only a small section being dedicated to African American troops and even that section lacks much detail. This museum is a lot of reading and the facts stated are obvious. There is very little detail given and anyone who had studied high school history would not learn very much new. Overall I was disappointed with this African American museum in a city with so much African American culture and history.
Written September 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SFresh118
Marseille, France123 contributions
Mar 2012 • Friends
This is the tiniest museum I have ever seen. Don't bring kids there, this just a maze of panels on which tones of texts are written. Even for yourself, I think you'll need a guide.
Written March 25, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pamela C
Atlanta, GA101 contributions
Feb 2020
This was an excellent trip where we visited lots of museums and monuments. We loved seeing the history of our country.
Written January 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom M
Seattle, WA33 contributions
Sep 2019
It is my understanding that the memorial and museum fulfilled a lifelong dream of Dr. Frank Smith, Jr., a four-term member of the D.C. district council, who oversaw the dedication of the African American Civil War Memorial in July 1998, to honor African Americans who fought for freedom as "USTC" (United States "Colored" Troops). Both are a wonderful tribute to those troops. The museum is as others suggest not huge or overwhelming yet chock-full of interesting and oft-times moving information and displays. While I was there a docent gave an informative and emotional talk that was great. Do not miss the memorial -- it's across the street from the entrance to the museum. It is a small but potent and memorable tribute to the USCT. If you want to get off the beaten path of the Mall, and learn something while paying tribute to American heroes, go here. (My photos are "OK' but don't capture the power of the statutes, and there was NO way I could bring to life the plaques listing the names of the 200,000 (yes, two hundred thousand) USCT who served, so I didn't include those.) (P.S. It's hard to decide how much time to recommend. I chose 1-2 hours because like many/most museums if you try to ingest everything it can be a bit overwhelming -- you literally could spend days if you read everything. So 1-2 or 2-3 depending on YOU.)
Written October 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sms74
Columbus, OH119 contributions
Feb 2017 • Solo
I think all white Americans need to go see this memorial and museum. From our history lessons we often only get a small glimpse of the sacrifices black Americans made to secure their freedom and keep the country united. While I knew former slaves fought I never had any sense of proportion of the magnitude of their sacrifice. Seeing all the panels with all of their names was an excellent reminder of their sacrifices.
Written February 18, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dinocatlover P
70 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
This museum should be a part of EVERY historical Washington DC tour itinerary! This is a hidden historical gem that is eye opening, educational and narrated perfectly by a period actor in AUTHENTIC Civil War attire!
This museum is a MUST-SEE that should be a part of every history-buff's and ordinary tourists itinerary! Visitors from all over the world were there, which made me swell up with pride.
I am so thankful this museum has been preserved for generations to come and learn about the often overlooked contributions of American slaves of African descent's roles in our American Civil War history!
This museum is a MUST-SEE that should be a part of every history-buff's and ordinary tourists itinerary! Visitors from all over the world were there, which made me swell up with pride.
I am so thankful this museum has been preserved for generations to come and learn about the often overlooked contributions of American slaves of African descent's roles in our American Civil War history!
Written December 21, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Baldwinlevy
50 contributions
Hi, how long is the wait to get into this attraction. Thinking of driving from NY. Planning to get into DC by 1PM or 2PM. Would that be too late to get tickets/entry?
Dinocatlover P
70 contributions
It is located in a residential neighborhood so large crowds shouldn't be a problem....
especially on a week day.
I was with a chartered bus group of 50 people on a Friday afternoon and there wasn't a long wait because we had made reservations prior to our visit to D C.
It's a must see!!
African American Civil War Memorial Museum, Washington DC
Frequently Asked Questions about African American Civil War Memorial Museum
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- Hotels near African American Civil War Memorial Museum:
- (0.25 mi) Cardozo Guest House
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- Restaurants near African American Civil War Memorial Museum:
- (0.04 mi) Oohhs & Aahhs
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- (0.09 mi) Appioo African Bar & Grill
African American Civil War Memorial Museum Information
Excellent Reviews | 66 |
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Very Good Reviews | 25 |
African American Civil War Memorial Museum Photos | 64 |