A nationally important collection of artifacts from British Virginia has, after decades of absence, landed back in the environs from which they were excavated: Orange County.
Many of the remains of what was the colony of Virginiaâs largest and most impressive structureâbigger than the Governorâs Palace in Williamsburgâhave returned to the vicinity of Germanna, royal governor Alexander Spotswoodâs pioneering settlement on the Rapidan River.
Earlier this month, the private, nonprofit Germanna Foundation became the new steward of a state-managed collection of more than 100,000 artifacts painstakingly dug about 30 years ago from the site of Spotswoodâs house, near todayâs Locust Grove Campus of Germanna Community College.
Although the coronavirus pandemic may have slowed some of the progress in restoring an old home and creating a historic village, members of the local Patawomeck tribe have a bright outlook on the future. Theyâre still working on the property adjacent to Duff McDuff Green Memorial Park in Stafford County, and hope to reveal the new cultural center to the public next year.
âThe dream is still there, itâs still alive. Weâre moving forward every day,â said Minnie Lightner, the tribal councilâs administrative assistant.
Even with the challenges, significant progress has been made.
âWith this COVID, weâre running about eight months to a year behind where weâd like to be,â said Lightner, who hopes to have the tribeâs Colonial-era village and museum up and running by fall 2021.
As the Fate of Many Confederate Memorials Remains Undecided, Richmond’s Robert E. Lee Statue Heads to a Virginia Museum
The controversial sculpture will likely go on view in a larger exhibition about the evolution of Confederate memorialization.
December 23, 2020
The statue of Robert E. Lee at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture in Richmond. Courtesy of the VMHC.
Earlier this week, a life-sized bronze statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee was unceremoniously removed from the U.S. capitol more than a century after it was installed. But just as quickly as the question over the controversial sculpture’s fate was resolved, another one popped up: Where does it go now?
The statue of Lee will be replaced by civil rights leader Barbara Rose Johns, who is credited with playing a critical role in the desegregation of America. In 1951, she led a student walkout at her all-black high school at the age of 16 to protest the conditions of the institution compared to those at a nearby all-white school. We should all be proud of this important step forward for our Commonwealth and our country. The Confederacy is a symbol of Virginia s racist and divisive history, and it is past time we tell our story with images of perseverance, diversity, and inclusion. I look forward to seeing a trailblazing young woman of color represent Virginia in the U.S. Capitol, where visitors will learn about Barbara Johns contributions to America and be empowered to create positive change in their communities just like she did, Northam said in a statement.
By STEVE BEYNON | STARS AND STRIPES Published: December 22, 2020 WASHINGTON The Department of Veterans Affairs does not plan to change the name of one of its hospitals that honors a Confederate physician who suggested castrating Black men accused of sexual crimes. Christina Noel, a VA spokeswoman, said the agency is not considering a name change for the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, Va., which honors the personal doctor to Stonewall Jackson, one of the most famous Confederate generals of the Civil War. The call to remove statues of Confederates leaders or renaming buildings that honor them gained momentum during the summer amid nationwide protests against police brutality following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. That movement spurred Congress to pass a measure renaming military bases that honor Confederates.