Washington, D.C. – On Monday, September 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., history and legacy will converge on Vermont Avenue as the African American Civil War Museum unveils a powerful new statue of President Abraham Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation. The dedication ceremony, marking the kickoff to the museum’s grand reopening, promises to be an inspiring moment for the nation and a moving tribute to Lincoln’s enduring role in shaping freedom.

A Monument to a Defining Moment

The date of the unveiling is no coincidence. September 22nd marks the anniversary of Lincoln’s Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation of 1862, which warned Confederate states to rejoin the Union or face the liberation of enslaved people on January 1, 1863. That final proclamation not only declared millions free but also called for the enlistment of Black soldiers.

By the end of the Civil War, more than 209,000 United States Colored Troops (USCT)—many of them formerly enslaved—had donned Union blue, fighting valiantly for freedom and helping secure ultimate victory.

A Museum Reborn

The unveiling also serves as a prelude to the museum’s expanded 16,000-square-foot reopening on Veterans Day, November 11, 2025. The redesigned museum will shine an even brighter light on the USCT, ensuring their courage and sacrifice are never forgotten. Through immersive exhibits, historic documents, photographs, artifacts, and educational programs, visitors will encounter the extraordinary stories of men who risked everything—not only fighting against the Confederacy but also against the threat of re-enslavement if captured.

The museum also bridges history with the present through Civil War Descendants and USCT databases, which connect today’s families with their ancestors who helped preserve the Union.

Artistry and Symbolism

The new statue, created by renowned sculptor Stan Watts of Salt Lake City, Utah, captures the solemn moment of Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation. Its placement outside the museum is deeply symbolic—linking the President’s pen to the soldiers’ courage, binding together the struggle for freedom and the triumph of justice. Watts himself is expected to attend the unveiling.

The dedication event will feature live music, guest speakers, and Civil War re-enactors in period dress, immersing attendees in the spirit of the 1860s. The ceremony is chaired by the Lincoln Group of the District of Columbia, a 90-year-old organization committed to preserving Lincoln’s legacy, with support from the Civil War Roundtable of DC.

Sacred Ground of Remembrance

Located across Vermont Avenue, the African American Civil War Memorial stands as a companion to the museum. Its centerpiece, the nine-foot bronze statue “The Spirit of Freedom”, is surrounded by a wall engraved with the names of all 209,145 USCT soldiers who fought for the Union. Since its unveiling in 1998, the memorial and museum have together served as a place of reflection, remembrance, and honor.

The museum itself is housed in the historic Grimké Building, once home to Archibald Grimké (1849–1930), an abolitionist, lawyer, and one of the first African American graduates of Harvard Law School. Born into slavery, Grimké rose to prominence as a leader and advocate for equality—an enduring reminder that freedom’s story is not just written in monuments, but in lives lived.

Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future

As the nation prepares to celebrate the dedication of this new statue and the grand reopening of the museum, the message is clear: the legacy of Lincoln and the valor of the USCT remain central to America’s identity. Their stories continue to inspire new generations to confront challenges with courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to freedom.

The African American Civil War Museum, a private, nonprofit institution that receives no federal funding, invites visitors to walk in the footsteps of heroes, experience history in vivid detail, and carry forward the spirit of justice for which so many sacrificed.

On September 22, 2025, when the bronze image of Abraham Lincoln takes its place outside the museum, it will stand not just as a monument to the past but as a beacon for the future.