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African-American Monument

SC PICTURE PROJECT

SC Picture Project / Richland County / African-American Monument

Sitting on the South Carlina State House grounds in Columbia is the expansive African-American Monument. It was installed in 2001 as part of the compromise that saw the Confederate flag moved from the statehouse dome to the grounds near the Confederate monument.

African American Monument Statehouse

Ron Cogswell, Arlington, VA, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The African-American Monument is the work of Colorado sculptor Ed Dwight, who has created several works of art celebrating African-American life. Standing two floors high and spanning 25 feet, the memorial tells the story of African-Americans in South Carolina from their arrival during the slave trade to the modern age. According to Dwight, the demilune shape of the monument reflects an African village built in the round.

African American Panel

Vicenc Feliu, Newtown Square, PA, 2011 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Though important figures in South Carolina history may be implied in the monument, no specific person is mentioned in text or directly depicted. During the design phase of the monument, the commission for the project asked that no specific person be depicted in the memorial so as to avoid the representation of controversial figures such as Denmark Vesey, a freed slave accused of planning a slave revolt in 1822.

African American Monument Panel

Vicenc Feliu, Newtown Square, PA, 2011 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Strong feelings regarding the removal of the Confederate flag from atop the Statehouse and the direction of the African-American Monument made for conflict among members of the commission during the planning phases. Yet the project continued and was completed at a cost of $1.1 million, which was comprised solely of private donations.

African American Monument Columbia

Ron Cogswell, Arlington, VA, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The monument was dedicated on March 29, 2001. The Chairman of the Monument Commission was then-Senator Glenn McConnell, and the Vice Chairman was Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter.

African American Monument Detail

Ron Cogswell, Arlington, VA, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

An obelisk bearing a plaque in honor of sculptor Ed Dwight stands before the monument, and an image representing human bodies packed into a slave ship sailing the Middle Passage rests on the ground in front of the obelisk (seen below). The African-American Monument is said to be the first of its kind on any statehouse grounds in the United States.

African American Monument Slave Ship

Marcellina Rodriguez of Baltimore, MD, 2008 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Plan Your Trip: African-American Monument

Where is African-American Monument located?
Address: 1100 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201
GPS Coordinates: 34.000488,-81.032448
What else should I see?
SC State House 0.1 mile
Wade Hampton Building 0.1 mile
John C. Calhoun Building 0.1 mile
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral 0.1 mile
Show me more like this!
  • Columbia Historic Sites
    African-American Monument Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Terrian Givens says

      June 25, 2015 at 5:56 AM

      Ashley Cherry Simmons, I couldn't have said better myself.

    2. Ashley says

      June 24, 2015 at 8:53 AM

      The flag has been represented by some in a negative, offensive, and racist way. So therefore it should be removed. The monument will still be there, which is a part of HISTORY and should be displayed without the Confederate flag. The flag belongs in a museum. Saying the African-American Monument should be removed is ridiculous because it is a part of history which we all need to never forget what happened to this world. African-Americans were the ones who built America. Never forget that. Whites came and took over and killed the Indians for their land and resources and stole blacks to build what they couldn’t do. If tables were turned you would have the same thought. Need I say more…. Have a good day.

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    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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