Some people never got the memo that Richmond is no longer the "Capital of the Confederacy." Then again, it's easy to forget that's part of our past when we have a street of monuments to memorialize the South's former leaders and generals.
Ironically, your tour begins with a massive statue of... Arthur Ashe, tennis great. Richmond's native son is still respected and revered by city residents of all races, but his statue is still a bone of contention. Contrary to popular Northern beliefs, most aren't bothered that one of our nation's great black athletes shares a street with the Confederacy. Instead, we're bothered that the city wasted their funds on such a bizarre statue. Councilmen wanted to honor Ashe for his contributions to sports and education... so they constructed a monument which looks like Ashe beating children with a tennis racket.
Down Monument Ave. further, you'll see all the southern greats: Lee, Jackson, Maury (of nautical fame) and Jefferson Davis. Lee is the most imposing of all--astride his horse, many stories tall and mounted on an enormous marble base.