Statue of Williams Carter Wickham, Bronze statue in Monroe Park, Richmond, United States
The Statue of Williams Carter Wickham was a bronze sculpture in Monroe Park depicting the general in Confederate uniform, holding field glasses and gloves in his hands. The figure stood on a granite base and served as a recognizable landmark in the park before its removal in 2020.
The monument was created by sculptor Edward Valentine in 1891 and funded by employees of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway company along with fellow soldiers of the general. It stood in Monroe Park for nearly 130 years before its removal in 2020 during social movements.
The monument reflected Richmond's evolving relationship with its past, as descendants of the general requested its removal in 2017 to distance the family from its slavery connection. Public discussions about such monuments prompted many residents to reconsider local history.
The monument was located in Monroe Park near the Virginia Commonwealth University campus and was easily accessible on foot. The park remains an open space where visitors can walk and explore the area today.
The inscription on the base described the general with four different titles: soldier, statesman, patriot, and friend, reflecting how multiple perspectives on his life were once presented. This choice of words shows how people wanted him to be remembered at that time.
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