Washington, DC is a city rich in African-American culture and heritage. Each and every one of our historic monuments, memorials, museums and walking tours has a story to tell, and each story is part of a larger saga of African-American history in the nation's capital—from the quiet perspective of the Willard Hotel, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. drafted his famous “I Have a Dream” speech to the Lincoln Theatre's historic stage, where renowned artists continue to shine in the shadow of celebrated performers. During your stay in Washington, DC, take the time to walk the streets of this vibrant city. Below are a few museum and cultural sites that may be of interest.
African American Civil War Memorial & Museum
1200 U Street, NW | 202) 667-2667 |
www.afroamcivilwar.org
At the heart of Washington, DC 's “Black Broadway” is a shining monument, commemorating a time when our nation was divided. Encircled by a Wall of Honor listing the names of nearly 210,000 fallen soldiers, the African American Civil War Memorial's Spirit of Freedom sculpture stands tall and proud at a height of nearly ten feet and is the first major work of art by an African-American sculptor in the District of Columbia to be placed on federal land. Complimenting the memorial is the African-American Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation Museum, seeking to help the visitor understand the African-American's struggle for freedom. Located two blocks west of the Memorial in the historic Shaw neighborhood, the museum features both new and ongoing exhibits, including the collection Slavery to Freedom: Civil War to Civil Rights. Metro: U Street
National Museum of African Art
950 Independence Avenue, SW | (202) 633-4600 |
www.nmafa.si.edu
Embracing the diverse artistic expression found throughout contemporary and ancient African culture, the collections at the National Museum of African Art range from ceramics, textiles and furniture to musical instruments, tools and masks. Also featuring paintings, sculptures, printmaking and other media, the acclaimed museum bears witness to the creative genius of the African artists to which these works are attributed.
Before Harlem, There Was U Street — A DC Heritage Tour
www.culturaltourismdc.org
Explore the home neighborhood of Duke Ellington, where a thriving African-American community developed in the shadow of Howard University. The tour takes you to such locations as the Lincoln Theatre, Thurgood Marshall Center for Service and Heritage, African-American Civil War Memorial and the numerous locations where Duke Ellington lived and performed at the dawn of his internationally celebrated career. Running every Saturday in April through the month of October, the tour costs $10 per person and departs at 10 am from the U Street Metro station.