Here’s a story about a proposed development plan in Richmond, Virginia, that tries to address how to deal with the historical importance of some of the ground involved … namely a place where human beings were bought, sold, and died.
What do you think?
(h/t Kristen Schroeder Konate)
Crossroads 
Well, I am not going to get into the arguments of supporting sports teams from an economic point of view as it can be very complicated depending on how it is done. As the article notes, this is also complicated from the historical perspective. Yes, Richmond does need to do much more to address the slave trading, that I knew nothing about until this article, head on. Richmond has monuments to men that have lost their citizenship by committing treason, but almost nothing that addresses the root cause. It would also be nice to see the National Park Service get involved but with the Tea Party House in Washington, that is not likely to occur. One thing for certain is downtown Richmond could benefit from something like this happening and it would be a shame if the need for a perfect solution causes even a good solution from happening. Come January, there will be a governor that is suppose to know how to get deals done. Maybe that will help.
It doesn’t matter what group is in the House of Representatives. He can designate via the Antiquities Act if necessary. It works better when Congress is involved, but when the majority of the House bends over to cater to racists who object to history being presented over incorrect heritage he’ll have to do what works instead.
Interesting story. Thanks.
I was never aware of this Lumpkin area in the Bottom. I do think that there is room for some sort of museum acknowledging the site. Richmond has the Holocaust and Confederate museums – a museum to commemorate the souls who were bought and sold here (and died) is logical and it’s right beside I-95 for easy access. I’d personally like to see what items could be retrieved from this site.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/Digs-Devils-Half-Acre.html?device=ipad
Well for starters, I think a fierce-looking adorable squirrel is just as good as the two mascots for our Grand Rapids (MI) Whitecaps — “Crash the River Rascal” and “Franky the Swimming Pig.” LOL On a more serious note, when it comes to preservation my stance has always been, “How many CW sites can be saved, preserved and maintained?” I recently read that the Preservation Trust or another similar group purchased 130 acres or so along the Orange-Fredericksburg Turnpike on the Wilderness battlefield. At the same time, I am disappointed that historic sites in Atlanta, Jonesboro, Franklin, Seven Pines/Fair Oaks, Selma, Spanish Fort, Chantilly, Fort Henry, Island No. 10 and many more are simply gone. Jones’ statement that every project in Richmond must be considered “through the lens of economic development” certainly makes sense to me. I think the museum is a reasonable alternative.
No, they shouldn’t build a stadium in Shockoe Bottom. Mayor Jones should look elsewhere.
Jones should also publically say that the VMFA should return the flags to the War Chapel on the Boulevard.