African American Civil War Museum to Reopen in Washington

By Ed Epstein

Washington, D.C.

Oct. 23, 2025

A museum that tells the story of the 209,154 members of the United States Colored Troops who fought for the Union cause in the Civil War after President Abraham Lincoln called for their enlistment in the Emancipation Proclamation will reopen next month.

Statue of Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation, outside the new museum

The private, non-profit museum in Washington, D.C.'s historic Shaw neighborhood will celebrate its reopening after several years of expansion and renovation in the landmark Grimke building on Monday, Nov. 10 and on the following day, the Veterans Day federal holiday.

At 11 a.m. on Nov. 10, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and members of the D.C. City Council will cut a ribbon outside the museum, at 1925 Vermont Ave. NW in Washington. Bowser and the council have provided funds to the museum.

The 16,000 square foot museum will reopen at 11 a.m. on Veterans Day. Admission is free, although a donation is suggested, and hours will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The museum will be closed on Mondays and holidays.

On Veterans Day, names of members of the USCT will be read aloud at the African American Civil War Memorial across Vermont Avenue from the museum. The names of all those who served in the USCT are listed on the memorial. Groups across the U.S. have signed up to join in the reading of names.

On Sept. 22, the Lincoln Group emceed a big celebration at the museum for the formal unveiling of a new bronze statue by sculptor Stan Watts showing President Abraham Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation. The statue sits at the entrance to the renewed museum.

The museum and the memorial are easily accessible via Washington's Metro system. Get off at the U Street/African American Civil War Memorial on the Green Line. The memorial exit beings you directly to the memorial.

The men of the USCT felt close to their commander in chief and their devotion to the Union cause helped inspire Lincoln as he made plans for Reconstruction to follow the Civil War. But his assassination in April 1865, just about six weeks after he started his second presidential term, mean it remains unclear exactly what he would have done had he lived.

Photo by Ed Epstein