African American Civil War Memorial

Once known as Washington’s “Black Broadway,” the U Street corridor has been the civic and cultural heart of the District’s Black community since the turn of the century. Rich in architecture, history and culture, U Street was developed by and for the then segregated Black community of the Federal Capital. Revered Jazz icons like Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Cab Calloway once walked U Street, performing at nightclubs and glamorous music halls in the 1920s, 30s and 40s. Beautiful buildings, largely designed by local Black architects, still stand as a testament to this self-sustaining community. On the residential side streets, a fascinating evolution of row house development and design is evident in the diverse and varied homes, some dating back to the 1860s! Join a neighborhood walking tour to trace the history of the area through its architecture— from the Civil War to Black Broadway, from civil unrest, through local perseverance, and future plans. The tour begins at the African American Civil War Memorial at the corner of U Street and Vermont Avenue NW, and concludes in two hours in Meridian Hill Park near 15th and Wst.