Description

Silver plated medal, medallion actually made in 1884 to commemorate the unveiling of this statue that has recently been removed by the government of New Orleans, Louisiana. The front shows the monument with the inscription NEW ORLEANS, FEB.22,1884. On the reverse there are several lines of text reading SOUVENIR/UNVEILING OF STATUE/GEN.ROBERT E.LEE/FEB.22,1884/BORN JAN.19,1807/DIED OCT 12, 1870.

February 22nd, 1884 was to be a day of celebration and remembrance in New Orleans. At the site formerly known as Tivoli Circle, an “immense platform” had been erected for participants in the day’s ceremonies, and grandstands were placed to accommodate thousands of onlookers and celebrants. After fourteen years of fundraising and negotiations, the Robert E. Lee Monumental Association of New Orleans was about to reveal the results of their labors: a lofty column topped with a grand statue of the “hero of the South,” Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

The statue of Robert E. Lee was removed on May 19, 2017 in the middle of the day. People lined Lee Circle in celebration and protest. The city’s current plan is for the monuments to be removed and housed in a city-owned warehouse until a more permanent location can be determined.