Confederate Albert Pike Statue Under Restoration for October Reinstallation Amidst Opposition
The National Park Service is restoring the toppled Confederate General Albert Pike statue for reinstallation in Washington, D.C. by October, facing D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton's opposition.
Subscribe to unlock this story
We really don't like cutting you off, but you've reached your monthly limit. At just $5/month, subscriptions are how we keep this project going. Start your free 7-day trial today!
Get StartedHave an account? Sign in
Overview
- The Confederate General Albert Pike statue, toppled by protesters in Washington, D.C. in 2020, is currently undergoing restoration by the National Park Service.
- The National Park Service's Historic Preservation Training Center is conducting the restoration work, which includes essential repairs to the damaged base of the controversial statue.
- Plans are actively underway for the reinstallation of the statue in Washington, D.C., with the National Park Service targeting completion of this process by October.
- D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton has voiced strong opposition to the statue's reinstallation, advocating for its placement in a museum instead of public land.
- Delegate Norton also intends to reintroduce legislation aimed at ensuring the permanent removal of the controversial Confederate General Albert Pike statue from public display.
Report issue
Read both sides in 5 minutes each day
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present a balanced and factual account of the controversial decision to reinstall the Albert Pike statue. They attribute strong opinions to specific individuals and organizations, provide historical context without editorializing, and include diverse perspectives on the issue, demonstrating a commitment to objective reporting.
"The decision to honor Albert Pike by reinstalling the Pike statue is as odd and indefensible as it is morally objectionable."
NPR"The restoration of the statue of Confederate Brigadier General Albert Pike "aligns with federal responsibilities under historic preservation law as well as recent executive orders to beautify the nation's capital and re-instate pre-existing statues," the park service said in a news release Monday."
CBS News"The National Park Service said it restored and will bring back a bronze statue of Albert Pike, a Confederate Army brigadier general, to its original post after protesters in June 2020 brought it down with ropes and chains."
USA TODAYArticles (7)
Center (3)
FAQ
The Albert Pike statue is controversial because it commemorates a Confederate general who supported slavery and was a leader in the Confederate army, which many view as a symbol of racism and oppression. Although some defend the statue for honoring Pike's Freemasonry leadership, critics argue it celebrates a figure associated with the Confederacy and its legacy of slavery.
The National Park Service is restoring and reinstalling the Albert Pike statue as part of its federal responsibilities under historic preservation law and recent executive orders aimed at beautifying Washington, D.C., and reinstating pre-existing statues to present a full and accurate picture of American history. The statue honors Pike's leadership in Freemasonry rather than his Confederate military service.
D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton has strongly opposed the statue's reinstallation, advocating for its placement in a museum rather than public land. She has introduced and plans to reintroduce legislation in Congress aiming to ensure the permanent removal of the Albert Pike statue from public display and transfer it to a museum.
The National Park Service's Historic Preservation Training Center is conducting restoration work on the statue, including essential repairs to the damaged masonry plinth (base), such as fixing broken stone, mortar joints, and mounting elements to prepare for reinstallation.
The National Park Service is targeting October 2025 for the completion of the restoration and reinstallation of the Albert Pike statue in Washington, D.C.
History
- 1M4 articles
