"Memorializing Men of the Lost Cause: Public Opinion of Confederate Monuments in Virginia 1900-Present"

During the Civil War Centennial Celebrations from 1961-1965, Virginia would hold some of the largest celebrations. Much of the Civil War had happened within the state, and they took advantage of the opportunity to bring people to their communities to learn about how the war had affected it.

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The Jefferson Davis Monument in Richmond became an important pull for these celebrations. Richmond held a reenactment of the inauguration of Davis which helped bring large amounts of people to the former capital of the Confederacy. Many groups including the U.D.C. made "pilgrimages" to visit the Jefferson Davis Monument as well as Hollywood Cemetary to pay homage to Davis and his family.