Yesterday, The Valentine unveiled a temporary exhibit of the Jefferson Davis statue that used to be located on Monument Avenue.
The exhibit is part of the museum’s mission to learn from the public about how to display + give context to monuments and other elements of Richmond’s history.
The sculpture was part of the Jefferson Davis Memorial, erected in 1907 as part of the Lost Cause movement to honor the former president of the Confederacy. In June 2020, as part of nationwide protests against racism and police brutality, protestors pulled down the Davis statue.
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The statue is located in the main gallery area of the museum. | Photo by RICtoday |
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Following the protests, the City of Richmond gifted several Confederate monuments to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia. BHMVA has loaned the Davis statue to The Valentine for at least six months.
Now, the statue lies horizontal in the “This Is Richmond, Virginia,” exhibit. The damage is on full display — including dents to the head, splatters of paint, and a severed arm. At the press opening of the exhibit, curator Christina Vida said that was intentional.
“I think that we have now … one of the most powerful objects in the 20th century history of Richmond and the 21st century,” Vida said.
Vida told press that the museum worked with local preservationists to protect the 2020 condition of the piece. In doing so, the exhibit aims to tell the story of the Lost Cause as well as the movement that brought the statue down. |
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Kate Sunderlin, co-curator of the studio project, speaks in front of Valentine works. | Photo by RICtoday |
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The temporary exhibit is connected to the museum’s ongoing effort to recontextualize the sculpture studio of Edward Valentine, who created the Jefferson Davis Memorial among other Lost Cause works. A survey near the statue asks visitors to reflect on the exhibit + Richmond’s other public art.
The Valentine wants to hear from all Richmonders — so while the statue is on display, admission is free every Wednesday.
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Share this newsletter with your friends and family to make plans to visit the museum. |
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Today -
The Bouncing Souls | Thurs., June 23 | 7 p.m. | The Broadberry | $25 | The punk band will play with Crazy and the Brains.
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“Twilight” | Thurs., June 23 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre | $8 | Hold on tight, spider monkeys — they’re showing this teen vampire classic at the Byrd. 🩸
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Reimagining Richmond’s Inner Suburbs | Thurs., June 23 | 6 p.m. | The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design, 2501 Monument Ave. | $10 | Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine while hearing from ArchitectureRichmond co-editors Edwin Slipek and Don O’Keefe. 🏡
Friday - Jazz Night | Fri., June 24 | 7 p.m. | Gallery5, 200 W. Marshall St. | Free | Donations are encouraged at this concert by the Kelli Strawbridge Trio.
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Flying Squirrels vs. Portland Sea Dogs | Fri., June 24 | 6:35 p.m. | The Diamond | $10+ | The game will feature a "Surf’s Up" themed Funnville Friday Happy Hour + Hawaiian shirt giveaway. ⚾
Saturday -
Making History with LVA | Sat., June 25 | 12-2 p.m. | Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St. | Free, RSVP | Sign up to transcribe historic documents + learn about historic databases.
Sunday Tuesday -
Shockoe Sessions Live | Tues., June 28 | 7:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Tune in for a livestream of No BS! Brass to celebrate 100 shows. 🎺
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We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends. |
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Weather - 73º | Showers | 55% chance of rain
Open -
LaDIFF is now open at its new Manchester location — although the owners say it is still a work in progress. The furniture store, located at 1011 Commerce Rd., had a soft opening yesterday. Current hours are Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Sunday 12-5 p.m.
Community -
The city has updated the hours for all outdoor public pools. Enjoy open swim from 3-6 p.m. and adult and family swim from 6-8 p.m. on weekdays. Pools are also open to all swimmers 12-5 p.m. Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. Sundays. Pro tip: Look out for modified hours around the Fourth of July. ☀️
Civic -
The city is seeking feedback on how to improve multimodal transportation around Richmond. Take a five-minute survey or explore the map to see where other Richmonders have suggested fixes for roads, bike lanes, bus routes + sidewalks. 🚲
Eat -
Pancho’s Cantina and Grill in the Fan will be closed for a few weeks. According to a Pancho's Instagram post, the restaurant will reopen + be run by the people behind Big Chile in the West End. The owner said they are taking time off due to a health issue.
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The Pit and The Peel is moving its Carytown location to 5820 Patterson Ave. The juice bar and bistro should open at the new spot near Patterson + Libbie Avenues by the end of next month. 🍊
Biz -
An entity called Fever Dreams LLC has purchased the former Mamma Zu building at Spring + Pine Streets for $900,000. The Oregon Hill Italian restaurant closed permanently last summer. The sale included an adjacent parking lot, but it's unclear what the new owners' plans for the land entail. 🍝 (Richmond BizSense)
Festival -
See what all the buzz is about this weekend at the free Honey Bee Festival at Rockwood Park Nature Center (3401 Courthouse Rd.) from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Rockwood Park Backyard Beekeepers Association will celebrate the 400th anniversary of beekeeping in America with live music, local honey + bee education. 🐝
Sports Read -
VCU history professor Gregory Smithers spoke with VPM about his recently published book, “Reclaiming Two Spirits: Sexuality, Spiritual Renewal and Sovereignty in Native America,” for Pride Month. The book delves into the historical impact of two-spirit people, which he says has been rarely studied. 📚
A pet message from our sponsor -
“Whiskey the Rottweiler was given less than 24 hours to live, and the referring veterinarian was sure he was going to die. But I made one simple change that saved Whiskey’s life, and kept him healthy for years and years.” *
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Content marked with a * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free. |
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There’s new signage on the Capital Trail at Rocketts Landing with a reminder to be conscientious of the community. Check out etiquette and safety tips on the original post to keep users + wildlife protected on the busy route. There’s also a full list of trail rules on the website. 🚲 |
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