New Statue For Monument Avenue?

A suggestion is being discussed in Richmond Virginia to add a statue to Monument Avenue... a statue to Secretariat, the legendary triple crown winner. Born in Virginia, in 1973 Secretariat was the ninth ever to win the triple crown. Secretariat won the Belmont by 31 lengths, a victory ranked by ESPN as one of the all time greatest sports performances. Secretariat's record times in the Belmont and Kentucky Derby have never been beaten. A movie about the life of Secretariat is due out in 2010.

Supporters of this idea would like the statue to be erected at Straweberry Street and Monument, between the statues of Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee. In addition to these two, Richmond VA's Monument Avenue contains statues of Arthur Ashe, the tennis champion, and Civil War leaders Stonewall Jackson and J.E.B. Stuart, and the Oceanographer Matthew Fontaine Maury.

"Monument Avenue Historic District" is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2007, the American Planning Association named Monument Avenue one of the 10 Great Streets in the country. The APA said Monument Avenue was selected for its historic architecture, urban form, quality residential and religious architecture, diversity of land uses, public art and integration of multiple modes of transportation.

Maury Place is the only Richmond Virginia Bed and Breakfast overlooking Monument Avenue. Guests have a direct view of the statue of Matthew Fontaine Maury from our front porch, or from the private balcony in our Pathfinder Suite. This month is the 80th anniversary of the Maury Statue.