History of a History Emerges from Lee Monument Cornerstone Box By Chris Graham Photos by John Dixon
American Historical Association president James Grossman is fond of saying, “everything has a history.” Even what we call history has a history. The recovery of the cornerstone box from Richmond’s Robert E. Lee Monument has given us an opportunity to explore that history of a history familiar to many of us. Lee Monument builders placed the cornerstone box in the monument’s pedestal in 1887, and workers removed the box in December 2021 while dismantling that pedestal. In January 2020, American Civil War Museum staff visited the box and its contents that are currently undergoing conservation at the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Most of the objects recovered were paper—pamphlets, books, money, maps, and chamber of commerce booklets. Some are unfolded on baker’s racks, allowing the folds and creases to relax. Others are in a freezer, awaiting an opportunity to mitigate moisture damage. Taken together, the dozens of objects represent an intriguing snapshot of Richmond in 1889 and of the history that the dominant culture then wanted conveyed to future generations. They were remarkably successful in their endeavors. continued on next page
ACWM's Chris Graham (left) and CEO Dr. Rob Havers (right) observe Katherine Ridgway, State Archaeological Conservator at Virginia Department of Historic Resources, as she examines a book from the time capsule.
An illustration of Robert E. Lee’s family tree found in the time capsule.
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