University Installs New Headstone, Releases Statement

University Installs New Headstone, Releases Statement
University officials clarify stances and articulate plans

[New headstone installed. PHOTO: The Columns]

Following strong pushback over the relocation of several historical plaques, university officials released a Columns article titled “Statement Regarding the Relocation of Plaques to a New Exhibit in University Chapel.”

Traveller’s headstone was replaced with a new one simply reading “Traveller” followed by the horse’s years of life, removing the description of Traveller as Robert E. Lee’s horse. Traveller’s remains are untouched, according to the university.

The statement discloses that the “other related plaques and interpretive signage at the site will also be updated.” The current signage details the history of Traveller and his remains, and was erected in the 21st century.

[Current graveside signage details Traveller’s history. PHOTO: The Spectator]

The university said that the second marker beside Traveller’s grave will also be replaced. That bronze plaque, which was placed in 1995 by the Alumni Board and the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC), honors Anne Wilson, the University’s first lady from 1983-1995.

It remains unclear how or why those plaques and signage will be updated.

[The 1995 plaque honoring Anne Wilson. It is expected to be replaced. PHOTO: The Spectator]

Officials added that the school will replace the Lee House stables plaque commemorating Traveller’s last home “with a new marker at the same location in the near future that is consistent with other markers across our campus.”

University officials did not tell The Spectator that the stables plaque would be replaced in their initial statement following it’s removal on Saturday, July 8.

The June 16 Columns post says that the two Traveller plaques as well as two other removed plaques will be featured in a permanent, upcoming exhibit titled “The Power of Memory: Remembering Robert E. Lee[,]” which will be located in Lee Chapel, National Historic Landmark.

The statement later goes on to reference the planned “Museum of Institutional History.” University officials describe the museum as featuring “rotating museum exhibits, rotating gallery spaces, storage, classrooms, and an auditorium for events.”

As has been noted by The Spectator, W&L officials removed the museum from their masterplan last spring in response to community backlash.

Citing messages from the Board of Trustees in June 2021 and September 2022, the university said, “W&L is an educational institution and, as such, its campus is not a museum or an appropriate repository for Confederate artifacts. In keeping with this principle, over a year ago, the Board determined that these plaques should be relocated to educational exhibitions.”