Admiral David G. Farragut Memorial African American Civil War Memorial www.afroamcivilwar.org Situated amid the sights, sounds, and tastes of U Street, this memorial honors more than 200,000 African American soldiers who fought to preserve the Union. The centerpiece of the memorial is “Spirit of Freedom,” by Kentucky artist Ed Hamilton, the first major work by a black sculptor on federal land in Washington, D.C. Located in the Shaw neighborhood, named for Robert Gould Shaw, the colonel who led the Massachusetts 54th Regiment, and was immortalized in the movie Glory. Near the memorial, is the African American Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation Museum and Visitors Center (1200 U Street NW) open weekdays 10 am-5 pm; 10 am-2 pm Saturdays. U St. at Vermont Ave. NW. (202) 667-2667. Blair House Located directly across the street from the White House on the most protected block in America, Blair House is best known as the guest home for foreign heads of state and royalty during official visits. It’s not open to the public, but Civil War buffs may want to stroll past this house for its historic significance. It was here that Robert E. Lee turned down Lincoln advisor Francis P. Blair’s offer to command the Union troops, vowing his allegiance to his home state of Virginia.President Truman lived here, and was the target in 1950 of an onsite assassination attempt. 1651-53 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Clara Barton National Historic Site www.nps.gov/clba Founder of the American Red Cross cared for Civil War soldiers at the site of injuries, Clara Barton earned herself the moniker “Angel of the Battlefield.” A bullet nearly ended her career at Antietam on September 17, 1862. The museum in Glen Echo was her home for the last 15 years of her life and is full of items that illustrate her dedication to the care of others. It is open daily from 10 am-4 pm; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. 5801 Oxford Rd., Glen Echo, MD 20812. (301) 320-1410. Admission is free. General George B. McClellan Monument North of Dupont Circle near the neighborhood of Adams Morgan sits a statue of Gen. McClellan, the Union commander who was victorious at Antietam. Despite his victory, tactical errors caused Lincoln to question his judgment and eventually relieve him of his command. McClellan ran unsuccessfully against Lincoln for the presidency in 1864, and later served as governor of New Jersey (1878-1881). In his memorial, designed by Frederick MacMonnies and dedicated in 1907, McClellan sits atop his horse looking down Connecticut Ave. towards the White House.Connecticut Ave. at California St. NW. General John Alexander Logan Statue The heart of a busy traffic circle in one of the District’s trendiest residential areas is punctuated by the statue of General John Alexander Logan, commander of the Army of Tennessee (the “Volunteers”). Logan fought with distinction in some of the war’s biggest battles: Manassas, Vicksburg and Atlanta, before losing a bid for the vice-presidency in 1884. The imposing bronze was dedicated in 1901. Logan Circle, Vermont Ave. at 13th at P St. NW. General Philip Sheridan Monument Sheridan Circle Surrounded by some of Washington, DC’sgrand embassies and top diplomatic addresses, this equestrian statue was crafted by Gutzon Borglum, perhaps best known for his sculptures at Mount Rushmore. Sheridan led the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac on the eastern front, pursuing Robert E. Lee and forcing his surrender at Appomattox. Massachusetts Ave. and 23rd St. NW. General William Tecumseh Sherman Monument Sherman Square This elegant landmark honors General Sherman, who served valiantly under Ulysses Grant at the Battle of Vicksburg, succeeding him as Union commander in the western theater of the war. Sherman led troops to capture Atlanta in September 1864, ensuring Lincoln’s re-election. Afterwards, his armies embarked on a devastating march through Georgia and the Carolinas. He is commemorated in an equestrian statue in the small park nestled between the White House Ellipse and the Department of the Treasury. Unveiled in 1903, the statue cost $150,000.15th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. NW. General Winfield Hancock Scott Memorial Dedicated in 1896, this statue honors General Scott, best known for his triumph over Robert E. Lee at Gettysburg. Considered one of the most capable commanders of all time, Scott is also credited with developing the Union’s Anaconda Plan, which brought down the Confederacy. Pennsylvania Ave. at 7th St. Lincoln Memorial www.nps.gov/linc This neoclassical temple on the west end of the National Mall is dedicated to the president who worked to keep America’s union together despite our bloodiest war. It is located across the Memorial Bridge from Arlington National Cemetery, where Robert E. Lee’s mansion looms in the distance, symbolically linking the north and south. The Civil War and Lincoln’s legacy is revealed by the structure’s design: 36 columns represent the number of states in the union at the time of the president’s assassination. A passage from the Gettysburg Address is engraved on one side and an excerpt from Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address is on the other. The iconic statue inside of Lincoln, seated and looking towards the US Capitol, was carved by Daniel Chester French. Look for the marker that commemorates the spot from which Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963. The National Mall at 23rd St. NW. (202) 426-6841. FREE Major General James B. McPherson Monument McPherson Square Constructed by Louis Rebisso from a seized Confederate cannon, this equestrian statue honors McPherson, Ulysses S. Grant’s chief engineer, who commanded the army of Tennessee and faltered near Atlanta. It was dedicated in 1876, and stand within three blocks of the White House. Vermont Ave. between 15th and K St. NW. Major General George C. Meade Monument This statue celebrates the achievements of General Meade who was instrumental in securing Lee’s defeat at Gettysburg. By positioning his troops for defensive attacks on the left, right and center, he successfully fended off Pickett’s Charge. The marble monument, crafted by Charles A. Grafly was dedicated in 1927. Pennsylvania Ave and 3rd St. NW. The Peace Monument Sculpted by Franklin Simmons in 1877 to honor U.S. Navy casualties in the Civil War, this 44-foot marble statue and fountain sits in front of the U.S. Capitol. The Peace Monument, also known as the Sailors Monument, is imbued with classical symbolism. Facing west, toward the National Mall, look for the female figure representing Grief who hides her face on the shoulder of another woman, the embodiment of History. She clutches as tablet reading, “They died that their country might live.”Below Grief and History, another female figure, Victory, holds a laurel wreath and oak branch. Mars and Neptune, representing war and the sea, sit just below. A classical figure, Peace faces the US Capitol and extends an olive branch. Pennsylvania Avenue at 1st Street NW. Spirit of Freedom and Wall Of Honor at the African American Civil War Museum African American Civil War Museum afroamcivilwar.org The 10-foot Spirit of Freedom sculpture, the first major piece of art by a black sculptor to be placed on federal land in the District, memorializes African Americans in uniforms and their families. Also find, the Wall of Honor, which lists more than 200,000 names of who served in the Civil War.1816 12th Street NW. Ulysses S. Grant Memorial Union Square Set against the backdrop of the U.S. Capitol, this striking tribute to Grant was sculpted by Henry Shrady and dedicated in 1922. The statue itself—the largest equestrian statue in the country and the second largest in the world—was modeled after a sketch that Grant drew of a soldier from Massachusetts after the battle at Spotsylvania Court House. 1st Street NW. (202) 426-6841. U.S. Mint’s New $1 Lincoln Coin The coin features a portrait of Lincoln designed by Don Everhart with inscriptions “Abraham Lincoln”, “16th President”, “1861-1865″ and “In God We Trust.” The launch of the US Mint's new $1 Lincoln held at President Lincoln's Cottage on Nov. 18. Washington Monument www.nps.gov/wamo When war broke out between the states, the 555 1/8-foot tall Washington Monument was only one-third complete, although construction had begun in 1848. Demand for building supplies, funds and able-bodied troops brought construction of the delay-plagued monument dedicated to America’s first president to a halt. Construction resumed in 1876 and the monument was completed in 1888. Due to the long delays, the marble on the bottom third of the obelisk was taken from a different level in the quarry. As a result, it’s a different color. Tickets are required to ride to the top of the monument; same-day, timed-entry tickets are distributed at 8:30 am from the kiosk on 15th St. The monument is open from 9 am-5 pm daily except on July 4 and Dec. 25. Constitution Ave. & 15th St. NW. (202) 426-6841. Advance reservations are accepted but require small processing fee: (877) 444-6777. |
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