Cameron Art Museum unveils new exhibit honoring US Colored Troops

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — On Friday, November 10th, the Cameron Art Museum unveiled “Monument”, a new art exhibit inspired by and honoring the United States Colored Troops who fought during the Civil War.

The exhibit features pieces inspired by “Boundless”, the outdoor sculpture at the museum that depicts USCT soldiers marching in formation.

For example, one piece has soil taken from places where black men were killed in racially motivated attacks, including two men who died during the 1898 Wilmington Massacre.

Daniel Jones is the museum’s cultural curator.

He said the exhibit continues what “Boundless” started, by ensuring those soldiers and their actions aren’t forgotten.

“It’s special because it means the dialogue we started when “Boundless” was permanently installed back in 2021 is still happening,” Jones said. “It shows that the ball is rolling and its not going to stop anytime soon. It allows us to have so many different conversations that are necessary and apt, not just for Wilmington, but for the state and the nation as a whole.”

The unveiling of the exhibit also coincided with the museum’s USCT Homecoming weekend … where descendants of the colored troops were invited to learn about their family legacy with a lecture, film and tour of the exhibit, which will be on display through the end of March, 2024