“Dear PoPville,
Some long awaited U Street Corridor news: After some delays, the African American Civil War Museum is finally reopening in its permanent home in the historic Grimke School, tomorrow Wednesday, September 30th! The final piece of the big redevelopment of the school – it Grimke School building includes the museum, the VIVA School of Dance studio space, and the offices of the buildings’ architects, Torti Gallas + Partners, while the wider project, called the 9 1/2 Initiative, includes a rental apartment building (The Thread) build around the old gymnasium and a condo building (The Fold) at the end of the alley facing U Street. A very exciting time for the neighborhood!”
1925 Vermont Ave, NW
From a press release:
“After a period of renovation and transformation, the African American Civil War Memorial Museum is pleased to announce that we will officially reopen to the public on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
We are also proud to co-host a special opening ceremony on September 30 to mark this important milestone and celebrate the legacy of the 209,145 United States Colored Troops (USCT) who fought for freedom and helped preserve the Union.
The reopening marks an exciting new chapter for the Museum, with expanded spaces and new opportunities for visitors to explore the African American journey from the Civil War to Civil Rights.
More information is coming soon! Details about the September 30 opening ceremony, reopening activities, museum hours, programs, and other events will be announced in the coming weeks. We will also share information about the Museum’s most immediate upcoming events following the reopening, including our signature Veterans Day Reading of the Names, honoring the 209,145 United States Colored Troops whose names are inscribed on the Spirit of Freedom Memorial.
We look forward to welcoming our community, visitors, educators, students, veterans, descendants, and supporters back to the Museum as we open our doors and begin this exciting new chapter.
September 30, 2026 the doors open. The stories continue.”