"Memorializing Men of the Lost Cause: Public Opinion of Confederate Monuments in Virginia 1900-Present"
In 1890 the Jefferson Davis Monument Association was assembled and tasked with creating a monument to the former President of the Confederate States of America. The United Daughters of the Confederacy would unveil the statue to the public on June 3, 1907. Public opinion about the monument and Jefferson Davis would change over time.
To read about about public opinion of the monument during the late 1890s-1900s click HERE
George Washington Custis Lee, with staff, during the Confederate Reunion Parade in Richmond, Va, in 1907.
Library of Congress
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February 22, 1962 a reenactment of Jefferson Davis taking the oath of office as President of the Confederacy
Virginia Civil War Centennial Report: 1962
1961 marked the Centennial of the beginning of the American Civil War. Virginia would create the Civil War Commission that would be in charge of putting on events for the next four years around the state to celebrate.
Jefferson Davis and the monument to him played an important role in these celebrations. Many people would visit the statue over the course of the Centennial. Click HERE to read more about the Jefferson Davis monument during the 1960s.
The Jefferson Davis monument as it stands today
Richmond.com
Confederate symbols have increasingly come under fire over recent years, and the Jefferson Davis monument is no exception.
This monument along with countless others around the country have come under fire for what many see as celebrating racist men who fought to maintain the institution of slavery.
To read more about current opinions about the Jefferson Davis Monument click HERE.