For the past several years, I’ve been honored to serve as co-project director with Dr. Kristen Treen (St. Andrews University) of Commemorative Cultures: The American Civil War Monuments Database. As our project description states, “The Commemorative Cultures project is a digital heritage web resource which collects, records, maps, and interprets data about American Civil War monuments across the United States, the UK, and internationally. Unlike other mapping sites, our project’s unique aim is to provide interpretive materials with accompanying images, literary texts, and archival documents for each monument recorded. As well as establishing a more diverse account of Civil War commemoration than a focus on Confederate statuary permits, our primary aim is to create an informative digital resource providing access to otherwise inaccessible histories of these culturally contentious objects.”

I’ve recently written interpretive essays on the John W. Jones Monument in Elmira, New York, and Denver’s “On Guard” Monument for the project. With Dr. Treen and other project members, I am developing new pedagogical materials that will allow teachers and students at all levels to engage with the project. We are also working on a podcast series and several video introductions to the database.

Commemorative Cultures is always looking for contributors who can help to expand our understanding of Civil War monuments. Visit our Contribute page to see how you can become part of this exciting and ever-growing collaborative project.