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In
January 1999, the Civil War Memorial Museum opened to the
public. Using photographs, documents and state of the art
audio visual equipment, the museum helps visitors understand
the African American's heroic and largely unknown struggle
for freedom. The museum is located two blocks west of the
Memorial in the historic Shaw neighborhood. To assist visitors,
researchers, and descendants of USCT, the Museum also offers
important educational and research tools.
Ongoing at the Museum
Slavery to Freedom: Civil War to Civil Rights
The Museum's permanent exhibition portrays the extraordinary African
American struggle for freedom in the United States.
Descendants Registry
Tracing their lineage from USCT,
more than 2,000 descendants have already supplied family
trees, letters and other documents to the African American
Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation Registry. Visitors
receive help in their search for relatives who may have
served with USCT. Family members with soldiers who served
with United States Colored Troops register in the Descendants
Registry.
Computer Search for Your Soldier
Computer Search for your soldier via computers to the Internet
and the National
Park Service Civil War Soldiers and Sailors web site.
The CWSS Names Index identifies black troops, along with
their regiments, regimental histories, and information on
384 major Civil War battles.
Future Plans
The Gladstone Collection
Unrivaled, unique, worth
more than $2,000,000 and priceless for those who want to understand
the significance of USCT in the Fight for Freedom in the United
States, this is one of the largest collections assembled about
black participation in the Civil War. William Gladstone spent
more than 20 years locating the well cataloged pieces that
have been the subject of several books and major exhibits.
In order to hold the Gladstone Collection together, the African
American Civil War Memorial and Museum is soliciting funds
for its purchase.
Interactive Kiosks
Interactive Kiosks combining historic documents with
photos and music will facilitate visits from large tour
groups and students, and will enhance the visitor experience
for everyone.
Compiled Military Service Records for United
States Colored Troops
The Museum seeks funding for a document imaging
project to duplicate the National Archives CMSR microfilms
and to purchase readers and printers. Using CMSR microfilms,
users can retrieve information on date, place of USCT enlistment,
injuries suffered, and pension records.
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