Monroe Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Monroe Park |
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Monroe Park facing east
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| Type | Public Park |
| Location | Richmond, Virginia |
| Created | 1851 |
| Operated by | City of Richmond |
| Website | monroepark.com |
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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| Built | 1851 |
| Part of | Monroe Park Historic District (ID84003572) |
| Designated CP | July 05, 1984 |
Monroe Park is a lovely 7.5 acres (3.0 ha) park in Richmond, Virginia. It is about 1 mile (1.6 km) northwest of the Virginia State Capitol Building. The park is named after James Monroe, who was the fifth President of the United States from 1817 to 1825. Monroe Park is Richmond's oldest park. It also marks the eastern edge of an area called the Fan District.
About Monroe Park
Monroe Park has a unique five-sided shape. It features many paved paths that wind through green lawns. You can also see lots of tall trees that lose their leaves in the fall. All the paths meet at a beautiful cast iron fountain right in the middle of the park.
This park was designed in the Victorian era, a time in history known for its special style. The park is currently being updated. This big project will make sure the park keeps its historic look. The Monroe Park Advisory Council is working with the City of Richmond to lead these important updates.
Park Features and Statues
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For many years, a bronze statue of Williams Carter Wickham stood in Monroe Park. This statue was put up in 1891. It was created by an artist named Edward Virginius Valentine. The statue was a gift from Wickham's fellow soldiers and the people who worked for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway.
In 2017, some of Wickham's family members asked the city to remove the statue. They explained that Wickham had owned plantations and gained wealth from the work of enslaved people. In June 2020, people protesting in the park pulled the statue down.
Park History
The land for Monroe Park was bought by the City of Richmond in 1851. It cost about $13,592. At first, this land was used for the State Agricultural Fair. This was a place where farmers showed off their crops and animals.
During the American Civil War, the park area was used as a military camp. It also served as a military hospital for soldiers. In 1872, a stone fountain was given to the park by a U.S. Army officer. This fountain was later replaced with the cast iron one you see today. Monroe Park was also the place where the city's first baseball games were played!
