WNC Nature Center
In the middle of downtown Asheville, North Carolina, you’ll find the Vance Monument, which is known for its imposing height and sense of civic pride. This well-known landmark not only serves as a constant reminder of the city’s long and illustrious past, but it is also a source of debate and controversy in modern times questioning the purpose and importance of its preservation. The Vance Monument has become an essential component of the city’s character due to the ornate nature of its construction and the conspicuous location of its site.
The monument was given his name in honor of Zebulon Baird Vance, who played a significant role in the history of North Carolina. Vance served as an officer during the American Civil War, later becoming the governor of North Carolina and a senator for the United States. The monument, which was built in 1897, was erected with the intention of paying tribute to Vance and his many accomplishments on behalf of the state. The world-famous architect Richard Sharp Smith was responsible for designing this building, which boasts a granite obelisk that is 65 feet tall and is encircled by four bronze figures that represent industry, agriculture, trade, and art.
In recent years, the Vance Monument has emerged as a contentious issue, despite the fact that it was once regarded as a representation of the community’s pride in its history and traditions. Many people believe that the fact that Vance supported white supremacy and the Confederacy during the American Civil War taints his legacy in a negative way. There has been a rise in the number of people calling for the monument’s removal or modification as people have become more engaged in conversations about racial equality and social justice.
The controversy surrounding the monument’s presence is further amplified by the fact that it is situated in Pack Square, which is the primary gathering place in Asheville. Others believe that the Vance Monument is a significant historical item that ought to be maintained, while others think that it serves as a sad reminder of the city’s history of bigotry and oppression and that it should be removed.
As a consequence of these disagreements, the city of Asheville established the Vance Monument Task Force in the year 2017. This group was entrusted with obtaining community opinion and examining the various choices that are available for the future of the monument. Their efforts resulted in a number of public forums, questionnaires, and conversations that were all geared toward gaining a better understanding of the many points of view regarding the subject.
Many people living in Asheville are of the opinion that the Vance Monument ought to be redesigned so that it functions as a piece of public art that expresses the city’s commitment to inclusiveness and diversity. This city is well-known for its thriving arts and cultural scene. Quite a few suggestions have been made, including erecting sculptures that pay tribute to underrepresented cultures and developing a memorial that pays respect to the difficult past that is connected to the monument. Both of these ideas have been considered.
Finding a remedy to the problem, on the other hand, has been a difficult endeavor. A state law that went into effect in 2015 places restrictions on the destruction of historical monuments without prior authorization from the North Carolina Historical Commission. This statute further complicates the status of the monument. The continuous conversations and the process of making decisions have been made considerably more difficult by the presence of this legal obstacle.
It is essential, in the middle of these disputes, to acknowledge the value of the Vance Monument as a symbol of history and tradition. It is meant to serve as a reminder of the city’s history, including both its triumphs and its more difficult periods. Even though people have different ideas about what should happen to the monument, the discussions that have taken place around it have given the locals an opportunity to have meaningful dialogues about the past and the ideals they hold in common.
In the end, it is impossible to predict what will happen to the Vance Monument. It is evident that the talks around this famous landmark have spurred vital conversations about racism, history, and the role of public monuments in establishing the character of a community. Whether it experiences transformation, relocation, or preservation, it is clear that these conversations have brought up crucial questions. Asheville will continue to develop, draw lessons from its history, and work toward a future that is more egalitarian and inclusive no matter what the results of this election are.