Focus on Stonewall Jackson Monument and discuss the Commissioning.
Under the supervision of local civic groups from 1890 till 1919 several statues were erected at successive street intersections along Monument Avenue in Richmond, commemorating great Confederate men. The ‘Stonewall’ Jackson statue like other statues along this Avenue were publicly funded. A local Richmond sculptor Frederick William Sievers, sculpted both Jackson's and Mathew Maury's statues. The first cornerstone of Jackson's monument was laid on June 3, 1915, with it being fully unveiled on October 11, 1919, shortly after the end of the First World War. The official commemorative service on October 11, 1919, was attended by the Governor of Richmond with Robert E. Lee's grandson speaking at the service, Thomas Jackson's granddaughter and the sculptor's son pulled the ropes to unveil the completed monument. This was followed by a parade of Virginia Military Institute cadets, Virginia National Guards and school children who marched to the newly unveiled monument. It was suggested that the timely completion of the statue, may be a reminder of the model ‘young brave soldier’ who were now returning from another major war.
Virginia National Guard Monument First World War Monument Avenue Robert E. Lee Frederick William Sievers