From Lynchburg’s founding days, the steep terrain of downtown was challenging. When the first court house was built on what is now Court Street in 1813, moving to and from streets closer to the river was a problem. The first solution was a network of dirt paths where Monument Terrace is today. In 1924, the City constructed Monument Terrace to honor World War I casualties. Designed by Aubrey Chesterman, the stairs and landings give Lynchburg a unique amenity.
With the World War I statue at the base and the Confederate statue at the top, Monument Terrace offers a look at military history through the years, with monuments to the Spanish-American War, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Prisoners of War, and recipients of the Purple Heart.
Visitors can also explore Lynchburg at War: 1861-1865. This new Civil War exhibit, created as part of the Civil War Sesquicentennial, looks at the impact of the war on the people of the city. Rare artifacts with a Lynchburg connection have been loaned by the Virginia Historical Society, VMI Museum, Museum of the Confederacy, South Carolina Relic Room, Jones Memorial Library, Stonewall Brigade Band and private lenders.
The Museum is on the free trolley route that loops between Downtown attractions. For more information, please call 455-6226, visit www.lynchburgmuseum.org, www.pointofhonor.org, or the Museum’s Facebook page.
- From a release
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