Nathan Bedford Forrest Statue facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nathan Bedford Forrest Statue |
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| Artist | Jack Kershaw |
| Year | 1998 |
| Dimensions | (20 ft tall (2x life size) ) |
| Location | Nashville, Tennessee, United States |
| 36°03′42″N 86°46′17″W / 36.06167°N 86.77139°W | |
| Owner | Bill Dorris |
The Nathan Bedford Forrest Statue was a very tall statue of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest. It stood about 20 feet (6 meters) high. The statue showed Forrest riding a horse in Nashville, Tennessee. It was located near Interstate 65 at 701D Hogan Road. The statue showed Forrest looking backward as if shooting. It also had Confederate battle flags on its sides. Many people thought the statue looked strange. Its face did not look much like Nathan Bedford Forrest. Instead, it looked more like a screaming, unusual face.
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About the Statue
This large statue was created by an artist named Jack Kershaw. It was finished in 1998. The statue was placed on private land. This meant it was not on public property. It was a very noticeable landmark for people driving on the nearby highway.
Who Was Nathan Bedford Forrest?
Nathan Bedford Forrest was a general during the American Civil War. He fought for the Confederate States. He was known for his skills as a cavalry leader. After the war, he became a businessman. He also became involved in social and political groups.
What Made This Statue Unique?
The Nathan Bedford Forrest Statue was known for several things. First, its huge size made it stand out. It was twice the size of a real person on a horse. Second, its artistic style was very unusual. Many people felt the statue's face was not well-made. They thought it did not look like General Forrest. This made the statue a topic of much discussion.
Why Was the Statue Removed?
Over time, many people began to question statues of Confederate figures. They felt these statues honored a difficult part of history. There were many debates about whether such statues should remain in public view. The Nathan Bedford Forrest statue was often vandalized because of these strong feelings. People would spray paint it or throw things at it.
Because of the ongoing controversy and damage, the statue was eventually removed. It was taken down in December 2021. This removal was part of a larger discussion across the United States. This discussion is about how we remember history through public art.
Images for kids
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The statue was frequently criticized for its bizarre portrayal of its subject (pictured)
