Committee of Colored Citizens Formed the National Memorial Association

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Summary

In the summer of 1915, fifty years after the end of the Civil War, the Committee of Colored Citizens formed the National Memorial Association to create a permanent memorial to African Americans' military contributions. Within this National Memorial Association, the proposal to create a memorial building soon evolved into building a National African American Museum to commemorate African American contributions to America in military service, in art, literature, invention, science, industry. This museum would also be an educational center, giving inspiration and pride to future generations by the example of those who have contributed to the advancement of the nation. Despite significant grass roots support, congressional opposition made an authorizing law for a commission to construct the museum a nearly impossible goal.

Subject

  • National Museum of African American History and Culture
  • Grand Army of the Republic
  • National Memorial Association
  • United States Colored Troops Committee of Colored Citizens

Category

Chronology of Smithsonian History

Notes

  • The National Memorial Association was an organization created in 1915 by the Committee of Colored Citizens. It was formed to create a permanent memorial to African Americans' military contributions. The Committee of Colored Citizens was organized by African American veterans to provide support for U.S. Colored Troops veterans participating in the 1915 Grand Review Parade in Washington, D.C.
  • The 1915 Grand Review Parade commemorated the 50th anniversary of the end of the Civil War with a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.
  • "A Century in the Making: The Journey to Build a National Museum," Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture (blog), Tumblr. August 24th, 2016, http://nmaahc.tumblr.com/post/149430396115/a-century-in-the-making-the-journey-to-build-a.
  • "The Time Has Come: Report to the President and to the Congress". National Museum of African American History and Culture Plan for Action Presidential Commission, last modified April 2, 2003, http://nmaahceis.si.edu/documents/The_Time_Has_Come.pdf.

Contact information

Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu

Date

1915

Topic

  • History museums
  • Memorials
  • Veterans
  • New Museums
  • History
  • Parades
  • African Americans--History

Place

Mall, The (Washington, D.C.)

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