"Memorializing Men of the Lost Cause: Public Opinion of Confederate Monuments in Virginia 1900-Present"
Photo of the Edward Valentine Sculpture Recumbent Lee. Michael Miley, 1875
Library of Congress
After the death of Robert E. Lee in 1870, preparations were made for the burial of the former Confederate General. He would be buried underneath the chapel at Washington and Lee University, that he had built 2 years prior.
The Lee Memorial Association was formed in order to erect a monument to Lee to be placed in the chapel. On June 28, 1883 the statue was unveiled to the public and Edward Valentine's Recumbent Lee statue, became an important monument for people to honor the General.
Click HERE to read articles about the creation and unveiling of the statue.
During the Civil War Centennial celebrations in Virginia Lee Chapel continued to be a place that people would visit in order to honor Lee.
The beginning of the Centennial saw joint ceremonies in New York and Ulysses S. Grant's grave and in Lexington at Lee chapel. The chapel would also receive a grant from the Ford Motor Company during this time in order to restore the building.
For more articles on Lee Chapel during the Centennial celebrations click HERE.
Recumbent Lee Statue
Virginia Civil War Centennial Report: 1962
Recently Washington and Lee University has had to come to grips with the way in which Lee is portrayed on campus and within Lee Chapel. Confederate battle flags that were once hung in the chapel have since been taken down, and the university tries to offer a less militarized version of Lee.
Special committes have formed in order to answer questions about how W&L will continue to portray the legacy of Lee to the public.
HERE you will find current articles and discussions about Lee Chapel now.