Discussion of Monument Avenue’s future set for April 5
4/1/2022, 6 a.m.
What should happen on Monument Avenue and what have other cities done about their public monuments?
Those are some of the questions to be addressed in a virtual panel discussion next week as part of The Valentine’s “Controversy/History” series.
The virtual discussion, which is free and open to the public via Zoom, will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 5.
Panelists include Marland Buckner, interim executive director of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia; Bill Martin, director of The Valentine; Maritza Pechin, deputy director for equitable development with the City of Richmond; Paul Farber, director of Monument Lab; and moderator Kelli Lemon.
On Jan. 24, the Richmond City Council approved an ordinance turning over ownership of the Confederate statues and their pedestals that were removed from Monument Avenue and elsewhere around the city to the Black History Museum in Jackson Ward. Under the agreement, the city is to continue to store the statues until the museum and its partners, including The Valentine, develop a plan on what to do with them.
According to the notice issued by The Valentine about next week’s discussion, the panelists “will share research and creative work being done on monuments across the country and discuss the challenges and opportunities we have here in Richmond.”
To register, go to https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIoceGuqjsvG9avw-oGNqUlrZpxb6a-ERzO
Details: Liz Reilly-Brown, the E. Claiborne Robins Jr. director of education and engagement at The Valentine, lreillybrown@thevalentine.org or (804) 649-0711, ext. 319.
