Zebulon Baird Vance Monument facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Zebulon Baird Vance Monument |
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The monument in 2011
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| Year | 1938 |
| Medium | Stone |
| Dimensions | 2,000 cm (65 ft) |
| Location | Asheville, North Carolina, U.S. |
| 35°35′42″N 82°33′05″W / 35.59508°N 82.55148°W | |
The Zebulon Baird Vance Monument was a tall stone structure in Asheville, North Carolina. It was built to honor Zebulon Baird Vance, an important figure in North Carolina's history. As of June 2020, there were plans to remove this monument.
Contents
Understanding the Vance Monument's History
The Vance Monument was a significant landmark in Asheville. It stood in a public space called Pack Square. This section explains who Zebulon Vance was and how the monument came to be.
Who Was Zebulon Baird Vance?
Zebulon Baird Vance was a well-known person from North Carolina. He served as the Governor of North Carolina during the American Civil War. After the war, he became a U.S. Senator in 1880. He remained a senator until he passed away in 1894. Vance also lived in the city of Asheville.
Building the Monument: A Look Back
The idea for the monument came after Vance's death. A man named George Willis Pack gave $2,000 towards its cost. This was about two-thirds of the total money needed. The monument was designed by Richard Sharp Smith. He was an architect who worked on the famous Biltmore House. Smith based his design on the Washington Monument, which is a very tall, pointed structure.
The construction of the monument began on December 22, 1897. A special ceremony took place when the first stone, called the cornerstone, was laid. A band played the song "Dixie" during this event.
What the Monument Looked Like
The monument was a tall, pointed stone pillar called an obelisk. It stood about 65 feet (nearly 20 meters) high. Originally, only the name "Vance" was carved on each side of the monument.
Later, a plaque was added to the monument in 1938. This plaque provided more information about Zebulon Vance. It listed his roles, such as "Confederate Soldier" and "War Governor." It also mentioned he was a "U.S. Senator, Orator, Statesman." The plaque included his birth and death dates. The Asheville Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (U.D.C.) placed this tablet.
ZEBULON BAIRD VANCE
CONFEDERATE SOLDIER, WAR GOVERNOR
U.S. SENATOR, ORATOR, STATESMAN
MAY 13, 1830 — APRIL 14, 1894
THIS TABLET IS PLACED BY ASHEVILLE CHAPTER U.D.C.
1938
The Monument's Location and Future
The Vance Monument was located in the center of Pack Square. This land is owned by the city of Asheville. In recent years, there have been discussions about the monument's place in the community. As of June 2020, plans were made to remove the monument.
