The Art of Memory: A Civil War Walking Tour

The Art of Memory: A Civil War Walking Tour is a guided exploration of how the Civil War has been memorialized in Washington, D.C. Led by Civil War memory historian Kevin M. Levin, the program follows monuments associated with the Union cause on a 2-mile walk through the city and concludes with an in-depth examination of the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial at the National Gallery of Art.

The tour begins at Ford’s Theatre and ends at the National Gallery of Art, so participants should plan for transportation from the final location. The program is accessible and takes place outdoors along city streets, followed by a museum experience.

When: Saturday, November 7, 2026

Showtimes: 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Tickets: Free

Lineup: Kevin M. Levin, Civil War memory historian

Program: A guided 2-mile walking tour tracing Union-associated Civil War monuments, followed by an in-depth look at the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial at the National Gallery of Art

Accessibility: Accessible

Starting location: Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Ending location: National Gallery of Art, 6th St. and Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20565

Transportation: The tour does not return to Ford’s Theatre. Public transportation is highly recommended. Ford’s Theatre is near the Metro Center and Gallery Place/Chinatown stations, while the National Gallery of Art is near the Archives and Judiciary Square stations. An independent parking garage is located next to the theatre.

What to bring: A water bottle, comfortable walking shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing

Educator information: Classroom teachers may request a letter certifying two hours of professional development, along with a resource packet for adapting the program into a student field trip.