In the following commentary published in the Chronicle of Higher Education, David Blight reflects on the first major event of the Civil War Sesquicentennial, which took place in Richmond, Virginia back in March. Blight comments on the purpose and significance of the day-long symposium and how it reflects a fundamental change with the way the [...]
Richmond
I am counting down the days for Wednesday’s much-anticipated inaugural event of the Civil War Sesquicentennial. Virginia is far ahead of the pack in organizing events for this 4-year commemoration. In fact, we are so far ahead that we extended the time line to include events marking the lead up to the war. On Wednesday, [...]
I support the Sons of Confederate Veteran’s request to partner with the city of Richmond to improve the grounds at historic Oakwood Cemetery. Such a project would work to improve a public space and bring attention to an aspect of the city’s rich history. The plan is to preserve the Soldier’s Monument replace deteriorated grave [...]
The highlight of my trip to Richmond this past weekend was the tour of Virginia’ State Capitol. Although I’ve walked by it many times, for one reason or another I never had the time to actually walk through it. Michaela and I decided to tag along with one of their tour guides. We had a [...]
Before driving 60 miles for what you believe to be a scheduled event double-check the date. That’s right, Michaela and I drove to Richmond today for a walking tour of Lincoln’s visit to the city in April 1865 only to discover that it is actually scheduled for tomorrow. I guess I just assumed that a [...]
One hundred and forty-four years ago this weekend, Abraham Lincoln visited Richmond for the first time. A large crowd of Richmonders welcomed the president in the wake of the Confederate government’s abandonment of the city. To mark the occasion, the Valentine Museum, Library of Virginia, and American Civil War Museum at Tredegar have scheduled a [...]
While other states are still in the beginning stages of organizing sesquicentennial commissions Virginia is getting ready to host a major event on Wednesday, April 29 at the University of Richmond’s Robins Center. This is the first of a series of Signature Conferences that will be held throughout the sesquicentennial. This first conference is titled, [...]
There is an interesting article in today’s Washington Post on the place of Civil War statues in a changing Virginia political landscape. It’s a fairly balanced look at how these sites are interpreted by different constituencies and it directly addresses the connection between political power and how our public spaces are used to remember the [...]
