There are few topics more engaging, polarizing, controversial, and relevant than the issue of race relations in the United States. As race and racism are enduring issues of importance and popularity, it seems fitting to explore the topic through one of the more engaging and divisive eras in U.S. history; the Civil War. National and state standards have consistently reflected this level of importance by the number of standards or benchmarks directly related to the Civil War. With an increase in material and a decrease in time to cover it all, history teachers certainly need to consider ways to make every topic engaging and relevant to contemporary students. The purpose of this article is to provide secondary history teachers with a rationale and example lessons for using Civil War monuments to discuss the perennially important issue of race and racism from both a historical and contemporary perspective. If the purpose of social studies is to prepare citizenry that is working towards the public good of all citizens, then young people must delve into the struggles of the past that continue to have an impactful legacy in current society. This article will examine how Civil War national monuments can be presented as a way for secondary social studies teachers to discuss issues of race as they pertain to the Civil War in U.S. history.