Monument to North Carolina Women of the Confederacy

The Monument to North Carolina Women of the Confederacy is a bronze and granite structure featuring a seated elderly woman holding a book beside a young boy with a sword. The figures symbolize the transfer of knowledge across generations within the context of that historical period.

The monument was built in 1914 after Colonel Ashley Horne financed it through a private donation, as several attempts to secure funding through legislation had failed. This private support made possible a project that had waited for years for state backing.

The reliefs on the east and west sides show soldiers departing for war and returning home, reflecting the lived experiences of North Carolina families during that period. These carved scenes shape how visitors understand how warfare affected daily life in the community.

Following protests in 2020, the structure was relocated from its original location and is currently not open to public viewing. Visitors interested in learning about it and its history should check ahead of time, as its status may change.

Henry Bacon, the architect of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., designed the architecture of this monument. This link to a world-famous building shows the importance placed on this project.