Public meeting planned to discuss Lexington Civil War statues, marker

Scheduled for Aug. 24

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 24, 2015) — Lexington area residents will have the opportunity to express their opinions about the location and presentation of two of Lexington’s Civil War statues and an historic marker during a meeting at 6 p.m. on Aug. 24 in the Council Chamber, Government Center.

KET’s Renee Shaw will moderate the meeting, which is part of a review Mayor Jim Gray asked the Urban County Arts Review Board to conduct concerning two statues—those of Civil War officers John Hunt Morgan and John C. Breckinridge—that have stood near the Main Street Courthouse for more than a century. The panel has also been asked to study a historic marker in Cheapside Park, located next to the courthouse, noting the history of slave trading near the courthouse. The marker has been in the park since 2003.

“We must consider the overall effect of these Civil War memorials,” Gray said. “While we should acknowledge our history, we must also ensure an inclusive environment where every Lexingtonian is welcome and supported by our community.”

The Urban County Arts Review Board is a body of artists, engineers, and historians, which reviews art projects on public lands to guarantee a sense of public good and to ensure they meet community standards.

Gray has nominated two new members to fill vacancies on the board, which is chaired by Georgia Henkel. Pending approval by the Urban County Council when it returns from summer break in August, Edd Mackey, a city engineering technician who is involved in local arts organizations, and Sonja Brooks, an educator and artist, will join the board.

In addition to the public meeting, the board plans to meet:

• At 3:30 p.m., Aug. 12, when Gray will provide direction and answer questions from Board members.
• 3 p.m., Sept. 16, when the board will interview a variety of experts.

All meetings are in the Council Chamber, Government Center, 200 E. Main St., and will be televised live on GTV3.

Gray has asked the Board to report its finding to the Mayor and Council in October.

SEE MORE:

Lexington mayor asks board to review historic markers, including statues of Confederate officers