Commemorative Monument at Monumental Church, (sculpture).

Commemorative Monument at Monumental Church, (sculpture).

Unknown, sculptor.

Mills, Robert, architect.

Commemorative Monument at Monumental Church, (sculpture).

5 ft. x 5 ft. 7 in. x 5 ft. 7 in.

The marble commemorative monument, a pyramid with a urn on top, is adorned with decorative cornices featuring Egyptian winged orbs on each side. The urn is adorned with carvings of wreaths, crosses, winged hourglasses, and inverted torches.

Object -- Other -- Vase

Ethnic -- Egyptian

Outdoor Sculpture -- Virginia -- Richmond

Administered by Historic Richmond Foundation, 707 A East Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219

Located Monumental Church, 1224 East Broad Street, Front, Richmond, Virginia

Richmond's Monumental Church and the commemorative monument installed at the front were designed by architect Robert Mills as a memorial to the seventy-two Richmond citizens who died in the Richmond Theater Fire on December 26, 1811. As the entire country mourned, U.S. Senators wore black armbands, and citizens of Richmond dressed in mourning attire for thirty days. Following the fire, the City of Richmond purchased the theater site and plans were drawn for a church and commemorative monument to the victims. A monument committee was created with Chief Justice John Marshall serving as chairman. The church and monument were funded by public subscription, and a $5,000 appropriation from the City of Richmond. In 1814, as the church was completed, the marble commemorative monument was erected above a mass grave, which was now covered and protected by the church portico. The name of each person who died in the fire is inscribed on the massive marble slabs of the monument. The church and monument are listed as National Historic Landmarks, as well as Commonwealth of Virginia Landmarks.

Inventory staff, 2000, 2001.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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Horizon Information Portal 3.25_9382

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