In the Foot Steps of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment

Morgan Freeman’s boots from the film

National Museum of American History (NMAH) intern Laura Blanton had the opportunity to learn about the making of the 1989 Hollywood blockbuster Glory. Objects from the movie, such as uniforms, were recently added to NMNH’s entertainment collections. The film is about the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, which was the first African American Union regiment in the North during the Civil war and was led by Colonel Robert Shaw.

Blanton spoke to Stanley Slater, who was one of the reenactors involved in the film, and learned how reenacting the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment impacted his life. Slater spoke of how his experience during the film was similar to the life of a Civil War soldier. Blanton also found out that Slater’s experience with Glory has stuck with him through participating in more reenactments and speaking at elementary schools about the 54th Regiment and the Civil War.

To read more about what Blanton learned click here.