The Shaw Memorial
01/01/2009 - 12/31/2009
The monumental plaster Memorial to Robert Gould Shaw and the Massachusetts 54th Regiment - one of the greatest works of the 19th-century American sculpture created by the preeminent artist Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907) - masterfully depicts Colonel Shaw and the first African-American infantry unit from the North to fight for the Union during the Civil War. The Shaw Memorial is accompanied by the rare and early plaster sketches of the memorial, the angel, and six portrait heads of African-American soldiers. Monday - Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm; Sunday, 11 am - 6 pm Metrorail: Judiciary Square, Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn, Smithsonian, Metrobus: A11, X1
National Gallery of Art, Ground Floor, West Building
Between 3rd and 7th Streets at Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC
202-737-4215
http://www.nga.gov
“Giants: The Parallel Lives of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln” with John Stauffer
01/22/2009
12:00 PM
Author John Stauffer discusses the parallel lives of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln with a strong emphasis on how these men made themselves, and how in many ways they defined each other. Metrorail: Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn, Metrobus: 13A, 13G, X1, 13B, 13F
National Archives Experience
Constitution Avenue, NW - Between 7th & 9th Streets
Washington, DC
202-357-5000
http://www.archives.gov/nae
Concert in Tribute to Abraham Lincoln and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
01/28/2009
7:00 PM
Orchestral musicians from around the DC Metropolitan area come together under the baton of Maestro A. Scott Wood to perform inspiring American musical works in honor of these two great men. In the Great Hall of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library. Admission is free. For more information, call (202) 727-1285 Metrorail: Gallery Pl-Chinatown, Metrobus: 42, 80, P6, X2
DC Public Library - Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
901 G Street, NW
Washington, DC
202-727-0321
http://www.dclibrary.org
Contributions of African Americans During the Civil War
02/03/2009
6:30 PM
Harvard professor Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham discusses the achievements of African Americans during the Civil War Metrorail: Gallery Pl-Chinatown, Metro Center Metrobus: 42, 80, P6, X2
DC Public Library - Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
901 G Street, NW
Washington, DC
202-727-0321
http://www.dclibrary.org
The Heavens are Hung in Black - A World Premiere
02/03/2009 - 03/08/2009
Written by James Still, Directed by Stephen Rayne. A commissioned play that explores the innermost reaches of Lincoln’s mind as he struggles with the loss of his son and the decision to issue the Emancipation Proclamation Metrorail: Metro Center, Metrobus: D1, D3, D6
Ford’s Theatre
511 Tenth Street, NW
Washington, DC
202-638-2941
http://www.fords.com
Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ Memorial to Robert Gould Shaw and the Massachusetts 54th Regiment
02/09/2009 - 02/22/2009
An in-depth discussion in the gallery about the accomplishments of one of the first regiments of African American men to fight in the cause of freedom and the preservation of the Union under Abraham Lincoln, as depicted by Saint Gaudens, America’s most renowned sculptor of the 19th century. Metrorail: Judiciary Square, Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn, Smithsonian, Metrobus: A11, X1
National Gallery of Art, Ground Floor, West Building
Between 3rd and 7th Streets at Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC
202-737-4215
http://www.nga.gov
Lincoln’s Legal Loyal League: African Descent Spies of the Rebellion
02/11/2009
6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Lincoln’s Legal Loyal League: African Descent Spies of the Rebellion is a lecture on covert activities of African Americans before and during the Civil War. The league was a national organization comprised of persons of African descent who sought to end slavery “in league” with the Constitution. Allan Pinkerton called it the “Loyal League” in his 1967 book Spy of Rebellion. Though the footprint of this organization is huge, there has been very little scholarship on the League. This lecture by Hari Jones will provide new information from Lincoln’s most loyal supporters to even the most well read scholars of the Civil War. Metrorail: U Street/African Amer Civil War Memorial/Cardoza, Metrobus: 90, 92, 93, 96, 98
African American Civil War Museum
1200 U Street, NW First Floor True Reformer Building
Washington, DC
202-667-2667
http://www.afroamcivilwar.org
The Original Emancipation Proclemation on Display
02/12/2009 - 02/16/2009
10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
The original Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Lincoln will be on display in the East Rotunda Gallery of the National Archives Building in observance of the bicentennial of his birth. For five days only, from February 12 - 16, 2009 Metrorail: Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn, Metrobus: 13A, 13G, X1, 13B, 13F
National Archives Experience
Constitution Avenue, NW - Between 7th & 9th Streets
Washington, DC
202-357-5000
http://www.archives.gov/nae
Jewish Life in Mr. Lincolns City
02/13/2009 - 05/31/2009
This new, original exhibition created by the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington explores Jewish life in the Washington area during the Civil War. The exhibition will look at the ways in which local Jews interacted with President Lincoln and the myriad of ways they contributed to the war effort. JHSGW has created specialized lesson plans for teachers and will offer guided tours for students and adults. Dr. Melvin Urofsky, author of numerous history books detailing 19th century history, will speak at the exhibition Metrorail: Tenleytown-AU, Metrobus: N3, N4, N6, N8
Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington
3539 Macomb Street, NW
Washington, DC
202-789-0900
http://www.jhsgw.org
The Civil War
03/27/2009 - 05/25/2009
The voices of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass resonate throughout this moving song cycle, richly portraying both the famous and lesser known persons so deeply affected by the Civil War. Music by Frank Wildhorn. Book and lyrics by Frank Wildhorn, Gregory Boyd and Jack Murphy. Directed by Jack Calhoun. Metrorail: Metrocenter, Metrobus: D1, D3, D6
Ford’s Theatre
511 Tenth Street, NW
Washington, DC
202-638-2941
http://www.fords.com
“Battle Cry for Freedom” - a discussion of the Civil War Era
04/01/2009
6:30 PM
Princeton professor James M. McPherson looks at the causes of the Civil War. Metrorail: Gallery PL-Chinatown, Metro Center, Metrobus: 42, 80, P6, X2
DC Public Library - Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
901 G Street, NW
Washington, DC
202-727-0321
http://www.dclibrary.org
Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln’s Journey to Emancipation
04/02/2009 - 05/15/2009
The exhibition addresses these questions: Was Lincoln really the “Great Emancipator” whom generations of Americans have been taught to revere? Or did Lincoln reluctantly embrace emancipation only after the actions of abolitionists in the north and enslaved African Americans in the south left him no other choice? Was Lincoln’s paramount object saving the Union or freeing the enslaved? Why did emancipation become a Union war only in 1862, and how did that momentous shift in policy influence the outcome of the conflict? Monday - Thursday, 9:30am - 9:00pm; Friday and Saturday, 9:30am - 5:00pm; Sunday, 1:00- 5:00pm Metrorail: Gallery Pl-Chinatown, Metro Center Metrobus: 42, 80, P6, X2
DC Public Library - Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
901 G Street, NW
Washington, DC
202-727-0321
http://www.dclibrary.org
Marian Anderson’s Easter Concert
04/12/2009
Metro: Foggy Bottom
National Park Service - National Mall and Memorial Parks (NAMA)
900 Ohio Drive, SW
Washington, DC
202-426-6841
http://www.nps.gov/nama
Emancipation and Race in the Age of Lincoln Conference
04/16/2009 - 04/18/2009
As part of the Washington, D.C. citywide Emancipation Day, the ALBC and Howard University will host a national conference exploring the domestic and international dimensions of emancipation. Each day will feature panel discussions and an evening performance. April 16, 2009 - Day 1: Challenges to Slavery Panel One: Ideological Origins of Emancipation Panel Discussion Two: Challenges on the Ground A tribute to John Hope Franklin and a performance form Howard University Division of Fine Arts will cap the night. Dr. Lonnie Bunch, Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture will deliever the keynote address. April 17, 2009 - Day 2: Emancipation and Revolution Panel One: Comparative Emancipations Panel Two: Comparative Emancipations in the U.S. Panel Three: Emancipation in the District of Columbia Evening Program Discussion and Performance featuring Anthony Randolph and Dr. Sais Kamaladiin of Department of Music at Howard University. April 18 - Day 3: The Meaning of Emancipation Panel One: Conveying Ideas of Race and Emancipation at Lincoln Sites Panel Two: Legacies of the Civil War: A Roundtable Discussion The evening will finish with a one-man performance of “Frederick Douglass†by Andre DeShields. Metrorail: Shaw-Howard U, Metrobus: 70, 71, 79
Howard University
2400 6th St Nw
Washington, DC
Jewish Life in Mr. Lincolns City
06/07/2009
8:00 PM
This new, original exhibition created by the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington explores Jewish life in the Washington area during the Civil War. The exhibition will look at the ways in which local Jews interacted with President Lincoln and the myriad of ways they contributed to the war effort. Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer will give a presentation as part of the opening program. Metro: Judiciary Square Metro
Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington
701 4th Street, NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC
202-789-0900
http://www.jhsgw.org
Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation
06/17/2009
6:30 PM
Howard University professor Joseph Reidy sheds light on the impact of the Emancipation Proclamation on Union and Confederate war efforts Metro: Gallery Place & Metro Center
DC Public Library - Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
901 G Street, NW
Washington, DC
202-727-0321
http://www.dclibrary.org
