Commonwealth Museum Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin

Fire and Thunder: Massachusetts Blacks in the Civil War

Despite unequal pay and treatment Massachusetts African Americans played a large role during the Civil War, in the Army, Navy, and on the home-front. In various ways blacks in the Commonwealth stepped forward and helped change the course of history. This exhibit tells the story of their courage, strength, and sacrifice; a story of the quest for a nation free from slavery.

View the Fire & Thunder exhibit

State police officer and a member of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment Re-Enactors.

Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin.

Beverly Morgan-Welch, Executive Director of the Museum of African American History.

Processing Archivist Mark Vassar giving a tour to members of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment Re-Enactors.

Members of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment Re-Enactors raising the colors.

Patriot Room at the Massachusetts Archives.