54th Regiment, Shaw Memorial, Beacon St., Boston, MA. sculpture by Augustus St. Gaudens

This heroic Memorial depicts the 54th Regiment, with Black volunteers from many states, led by Col. Robert G. Shaw, marching down Beacon Street on May 28th, 1863, on their way to South Carolina. Soldiers included two sons of abolition leader Frederick Douglass.

Cheered on by crowds singing Julia Ward Howe’s new “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, they marched, then sailed for their first battle at Fort Wagner, SC.

Restoration began in 2020. Unveiled with a public ceremony May 28, 2021, the anniversary of the event depicted by St. Gaudens.