CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — As the debate surrounding the statue of Confederate General Stonewall Jackson continues, The Clarksburg History Museum is pitching using the statue as a method to tell Jackson’s life story.
The Harrison County Commission this week took additional comments on the statue after last month rejecting a proposal to return it to the Daughters of the Confederacy.
The statue is located in front of the Clarksburg courthouse. Jackson was born in Clarksburg, which was part of Virginia at the time.
Michael Spatafore, the museum’s presidents, told commissioners the statue could be moved to the museum or other locations in downtown and using it to explain Jackson’s life.
Jim Griffin, the chairman of the West Virginia Black Heritage Festival, said the statute is not appropriate for a public setting.
“Displaying Confederate monuments on public property indicates the building does not truly belong to all the people,” he told WAJR-AM. “The Confederates fought for slavery, and that means not all people are free.”
Harrison County Commission President Ron Watson previously said he wants to see voters decide the statue’s future.