This week, the District of Columbia will experience a historic awakening, with a monumental chapter of our history taking center stage as the newly renovated African American Civil War Museum officially celebrates its long-awaited grand opening. After years of careful planning, transformation and anticipation, the doors will swing wide open Wednesday at 10 a.m. at its permanent home, located at 1925 Vermont Avenue NW.
Ahead of its grand reopening, the African American Civil War Museum is celebrating a massive leap forward at the historic Grimke School. While Mayor Muriel Bowser championed securing the city-owned site, Executive Founding Director Dr. Frank Smith and his board independently raised additional funds to finalize crucial features. These upgrades include a new courtyard serving as a separate entrance, elevator access and a prominent new Lincoln statue by the main entrance.
To celebrate this milestone, the community will be treated to the powerful sounds of faith and freedom. Under the talented leadership of Solomon Sparrow, minister of music, and the spiritual guidance of interim Pastor Rev. Michael C. Miller, the renowned Vermont Avenue Baptist Church Choir and the soulful Vermont Avenue Baptist Jazz Quartet will fill the air with uplifting, soulful music to usher in the morning’s festivities.
The historic Vermont Avenue Baptist Church, originally founded as the Fifth Baptist Church in 1866 by freedmen, is located at 1630 Vermont Avenue NW in the vibrant Logan Circle and U Street corridor neighborhoods of Washington, D.C. Vermont Avenue Baptist Church is only a few steps away from the museum and has served as its official church from the day the museum was unveiled.
On behalf of the museum staff and board, they will welcome Ward 1 D.C. Council member Brianne K. Nadeau, alongside other notable city officials who will mark this momentous occasion. The public is warmly invited to join hands and hearts with us. Our spiritual message for the celebration will be brought forth by our special guest minister, the Rev. Eugene Lowe, pastor of Goodwill Baptist Church on Kalorama Road NW, Washington, D.C., who will ground our hearts in the true meaning of remembrance, sacrifice and spiritual liberation.
Tours of the stunning new museum space will commence immediately following the program, allowing the public to walk through the rich, triumphant history of the United States Colored Troops (USCT). Dr. Frank Smith, along with the entirety of the museum’s staff and board members, will be present to greet the community and celebrate this historic victory.
This state-of-the-art facility stands directly across from the historic African American Civil War Memorial Wall of Honor, which proudly bears the names of 209,145 Black soldiers and their officers who fought so bravely for freedom and union. As we look across the street from the new museum, our hearts are filled with pride as we admire the majestic Spirit of Freedom Monument.
This sacred monument was first unveiled to the world on July 18, 1998, in front of an emotional, energetic crowd that gathered from all corners of the globe. The breathtaking 9-foot bronze masterpiece was sculpted by the brilliant artist Ed Hamilton. The memorial’s timeless plaza design was envisioned by the pioneering late master architect Paul Devrouax, along with his talented partners led by Ed Dunson and Barbara Laurie.
The monument was a massive labor of love — a project 10 years in the making. It remains a deeply personal milestone for me as well, as yours truly served proudly as the project director, working hand-in-hand with Dr. Frank Smith, the visionary founder and director, while collaborating closely with the D.C. City Council member then representing Ward 1 to bring this dream to life.
The African American Civil War Memorial in Washington, D.C., was officially recognized by Guinness World Records on Feb. 1, 2024, for having the “Most Names on a War Memorial,” featuring 209,145 names of Black soldiers and their white officers. Each year, it draws hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world who come to honor their ancestors and learn more about this true story of the historic Black soldiers who fought during the American Civil War.
Inside the beautiful, newly expanded 16,000-square-foot facility, visitors will be treated to a powerful, immersive journey through history. The crown jewel of the reopening is the captivating headline exhibit, “From Slavery to the White House: The USCT Heritage of First Lady Michelle Obama.” Through rare documents and photographs, this exhibit beautifully traces her family’s lineage back to her formerly enslaved ancestors, Jerry Sutton/Suter and Caesar Cohen, who rose up to fight as freedom fighters in the USCT.
Guests can also explore the permanent “Glorious March to Liberty” display, which utilizes historic weaponry, period uniforms and interactive multimedia touch screens to detail how our ancestors helped transform the United States of America from a slaveocracy to a true democracy. Complete with a state-of-the-art genealogy lab, the museum empowers families to search the archives and directly connect with the names of their own heroic ancestors.
Come out, bring your families and witness history come alive in the heart of Washington, D.C. We look forward to seeing you there Wednesday morning!
Lyndia Grant is a speaker/writer living in the D.C. area. Her radio show, “Think on These Things,” airs Fridays at 6 p.m. on 1340 AM (WYCB), a Radio One station. To reach Grant, go to her website, www.lyndiagrant.com, email lyndiagrantshowdc@gmail.com or call 240-602-6295. Follow her on X @LyndiaGrant and on Facebook.
