By Michelle Bliss
Wilmington, NC – The 1898 Monument and Memorial Park will be dedicated at the memorial site tomorrow by the City of Wilmington and the 1898 Foundation, with a reception at City Hall to follow.
Violence erupted on November 10th 1898 as part of the overthrow of Wilmington's elected black government. It is the only coup d'etat in US history, and killed an unknown number of black residents.
The 1898 Foundation first envisioned a commemorative monument 12 years ago and began fundraising in 2000.
Sculptor Ayokunle Odeleye says the structure is a reminder of the continued efforts to unify Wilmington.
"Hopefully, it will also suggest the need to invest in diversity and invest in the kinds of economic, political and social kinds of things that will help Wilmington to be a family as a whole as opposed to a fragmented city."
The memorial consists of six tall bronze paddles organized on a stone circle.
They symbolize an African tradition about the deceased traveling to the afterlife through water.
Want To Go?
Dedication 10:00am Saturday
The intersection of 3rd & Davis streets
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