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Jefferson Davis Monument
DavisPkwyJeffDavisStatueFront.jpg
The monument in 2015
Jefferson Davis Monument is located in Louisiana
Jefferson Davis Monument
Location in Louisiana
Coordinates 29°58′11″N 90°05′39″W / 29.96985°N 90.09427°W / 29.96985; -90.09427
Location New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Dismantled date 2017

The Jefferson Davis Monument, also known as the Jefferson Davis Memorial, was an outdoor sculpture and memorial to Jefferson Davis, installed at Jeff Davis Parkway and Canal Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States from 1911 to 2017.

Description

Richmond artist Edward Virginius Valentine was the sculptor of the monument. A stone marker about 20 feet behind the sculpture reads: Site of Jefferson Davis Monument/Dedicated June 3rd 1908.

History

Dedication

Jefferson Davis Monument Dedication New Orleans 1911
The statue's dedication in 1911

The statue itself was dedicated on the 22nd of February, 1911. The "Whites Only" ceremony included a mass of school children dressed in red, white, and blue forming a Confederate "living battle flag", in which formation the sang "Dixie". The date of dedication was said to correspond with the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of Jefferson Davis as President of the Confederate States of America, though the actual anniversary would have been 4 days earlier since Davis's inauguration was on 18 February 1861.

Removal

Jefferson Davis Monument Foundation
The monument's foundation after the removal of the statue, its pedestal and base.

On May 11, 2017, the statue of Davis was removed, on order from the City, despite the presence of dozens of protesters and supporters. Those removing the statue wore masks and helmets to hide their identities and the company name on their truck was hidden. After the statue's removal, the pedestal and base were also removed, leaving only the foundation. The cost of removing the statue was split between private donations and the City of New Orleans.

The statue has been placed in storage at an undisclosed location. The city has stated that it will be relocated, but no specific plans have been announced.

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