A Little Nashville History series is our ode to all things Black History in the city.
The nine-foot cast bronze statue at the U.S. Colored Troops Memorial in Nashville, created by Roy Butler, is one of the few freestanding monuments to African American soldiers in the U.S. and the only one in a national facility. The $80,000 project was coordinated by the African American Cultural Alliance of Nashville, with funds raised from local churches, citizens, businesses, and Civil War groups, including the Sons of Confederate Veterans. The Tennessee Historical Commission contributed $15,000. Norm Hill, chairman of the Tennessee Historical Commission, emphasized that the effort was a unifying, grassroots endeavor focused on honoring fallen soldiers, irrespective of North or South. The idea for the memorial was sparked during Black History Month at a Nashville university, with Kwame Leo Lillard of the Cultural Alliance advocating for this recognition for years. The memorial serves as a lasting tribute to African American soldiers who fought for freedom in the Civil War.
Visit and learn more here
Photo credit: The American Legion
To get more guides and stories of the people behind the culture and soul of Nashville, subscribe to our weekly newsletter HERE.
