DK - The American Civil War

DIRECTORY

WASHINGTON, D.C.

African American Civil War
Memorial and Museum
The African American Civil War Museum
helps visitors understand the African-
Americans’ brave, yet often unknown,
struggle for freedom. There are many
photographs and documents. The museum
is located two blocks west of the memorial
in the historic U Street neighborhood.
http://www.afroamcivilwar.org

Civil War Defenses of Washington
Also known as Fort Circle Parks, this
forested area outside the nation’s capital
includes the remnants of a complex system
of Civil War fortifications built by Union
forces. Includes Fort Dupont, named for
Flag Officer Samuel F. Du Pont.
http://www.nps.gov/cwdw
http://www.nps.gov/fodu

Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site
The site of President Abraham Lincoln’s
assassination on April 14, 1865, at the
hands of actor John Wilkes Booth. Lincoln
was carried to Petersen’s Boarding House
across the street, where he died on April
15, 1865. The museum contains portions
of the Oldroyd Collection of Lincolniana.
http://www.nps.gov/foth

Lincoln Memorial
National monument devoted to the 16th
President honoring his role as the Great
Emancipator, and preserver of the nation.
Located on the National Mall, the Lincoln
Memorial has been the location of
subsequent rallies and events dedicated
to liberty and civil rights.
http://www.nps.gov/linc

Smithsonian Institution

The Price of Freedom exhibition at the National Museum

of American History includes a section on the Civil War.

Images from photographer Alexander Gardner are

projected above a case of materials related to the battles

of Antietam, Vicksburg, and Gettysburg.

President Lincoln’s Cottage and

the Soldier’s Home

Newly opened to the public, this site

marks where President Lincoln and

his family spent the summer months

from 1862 to 1864.

http://www.lincolncottage.org

Smithsonian Institution

Established in 1846, the Smithsonian

Institution comprises 19 museums

and 9 research centers, the majority

of which are situated in Washington

near the National Mall. The National

Museum of American History displays

Civil War artifacts from its extensive

collections in permanent and special

exhibitions. The National Portrait Gallery

is a center for American portraiture

and is housed in the historic Patent

Office Building, once used as a Civil War

barracks and hospital. The Smithsonian

American Art Museum shares this

building and occupies the nearby

Renwick Gallery, once the office of

the Union army’s quartermaster general.

A National Museum of African-American

History and Culture is scheduled to

open in 2016.

http://americanhistory.si.edu

WEST VIRGINIA

Harpers Ferry National

Historical Park

Changing hands eight times during the

Civil War, Harpers Ferry was the site of

several historical events, the best known

being the famous John Brown raid in

October 1859.

http://www.nps.gov/hafe