Monument Avenue

Julia
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
2
Reviews
7
Photos
Editor Pick

Monument Avenue Stroll

  • February 12, 2004
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Shaun66 from Richmond, Virginia
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.

From journal The Five-Dollar Date

Editor Pick

Monument Avenue

  • July 3, 2000
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Julia from Hoboken, New Jersey
Richmond was the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War and Monument Avenue includes statues of some famous figures like Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis. But the best feature of Monument Avenue is the statue of the late, great Arthur Ashe. Ashe was a Richmond native and it is really moving to see his likeness amid those who fought to preserve the inhumanity of slavery. The rest of the statues are impressive and quite beautiful, but they are framed by the even more fantastic old Victorian homes on both sides of the Avenue. Many of these have been made into apartments for students, but their external beauty is retained. Drive slowly and look at each one as you pass - you just don't see houses like that anymore, especially so many of them, except in Richmond.

From journal A Southern City

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