Interpreting the War Anew: An Appraisal of Richmond’s Civil War Centennial Commemoration

• Main Author: Butterworth, Brandon
• Format: Others
• Published: VCU Scholars Compass 2012
• Subjects: Civil War; Centennial; Richmond; Commemoration; Arts and Humanities; History
• Online Access: http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/2916; http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3915&context=etd

In existence from 1959 to 1965, the Richmond Civil War Centennial Committee was formed for the purpose of planning and executing Richmond’s Civil War centennial commemoration. In this thesis, the author will examine the history of the Richmond Civil War Centennial Committee (RCWCC) and its efforts to develop a new historical narrative of Richmond and the Civil War. This paper will assess Richmond’s previous attempts to commemorate the Civil War and will argue that the RCWCC contributed to the advancement of Richmond’s Civil War narrative by de-emphasizing past Confederate celebration attempts led by heritage groups and advancing a “reconciliation” narrative. Furthermore, this thesis will examine Richmond’s current attempt to commemorate the Civil War sesquicentennial and explore the influence of the RCWCC on this effort. Lastly, this paper will consider the future prospects for Civil War commemoration in Richmond.