Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
An Enduring Legacy?
Fort Monroe
This memorial to Jefferson Davis, for some, conjures up a sense of heritage and history. For others, it is a symbol of hate and highlights the intent to exclude African Americans from public life and civil liberties. This memorial was placed here during the modern civil rights movement in the 1950s, a time which triggered a wave of Confederate monuments and the renaming of public buildings and spaces.
Some Virginia cities and counties closed their schools in "massive resistance" to the Supreme Court's invalidation of segregation, arguing that it was the states' right to determine relations between black and white people.
The new memorials, such as the arch, celebrated the heroes of the Confederacy as defenders of an unfairly oppressed region, in opposition to this federal ruling.
Erected by Fort Monroe Authority; National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Forts and Castles • War, US Civil.
Location. 37° 0.156′ N, 76° 18.428′ W. Marker is in Hampton, Virginia. It is in Fort Monroe. Marker is at the intersection of Bernard Road and Ruckman Road
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Jefferson Davis Memorial Arch (within shouting distance of this marker); "Ruth Window" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Lincoln Gun (about 400 feet away); Old Point Comfort Light (about 400 feet away); Omaha Beach Memorial Tree (about 500 feet away); Lantaka (about 500 feet away); Spanish 1-˝ Pounder (about 500 feet away); 12-Pounder Howitzer (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hampton.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 6, 2021
2. An Enduring Legacy? Marker
The arch is in the background with Jefferson Davis' name removed.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 169 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 8, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
