Commission seeks Capitol Square “Section E” for Booker T. Washington statue; launches artist RFP and fundraising plan

The Booker T. Washington Commemorative Commission voted to ask the House of Delegates to permit placement of a full-figure statue of Booker T. Washington on a site the panel identified as “Section E” on Capitol Square, authorized a request-for-proposals process to select an artist and began planning fundraising events to raise roughly $200,000 for the monument.

The commission’s chair opened the meeting saying the group “really need[s] to get moving, on, how to commemorate Mister Washington,” and members agreed to pursue a visible, outdoor location on Capitol Square that would be seen by visitors and during public events, rather than placing the memorial inside the Capitol building. “The optimal place in my mind was in the outside, where someone would approach the Capitol,” said Senator Soudalai, noting the goal of placing Washington among other public memorials so more Virginians would see the tribute.

Why it matters: Commission members said a prominent outdoor placement on Capitol Square would expose more visitors and residents to Booker T. Washington’s life and connection to Virginia. The panel discussed logistics including site availability, historic preservation and the Capitol Square master landscape plan; members instructed staff to begin consultations with House leaders and with Capitol Square administrators to confirm whether the selected site could be used and whether additional locations might be suitable long-term.

Most important actions and details

- Location request: The commission moved and approved a motion to “express to the House of Delegates and request Section E as placement for the Booker T. Washington memorial.” The motion passed after a voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript. Senator Edmond moved the motion; a second was recorded. The commission directed the chair and clerk to begin conversations with House leadership about that specific site.

- Artist selection: The commission approved beginning a solicitation process for artists. The commission directed staff to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for artist selection and to consult with subject-matter experts such as the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts as needed. The motion to begin the RFP process was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.

- Fundraising and budget: Commissioners discussed an estimate of about $200,000 for a bronze statue, based on prior monument projects, and agreed the exact cost will depend on the selected artist and the level of detail required. The commission’s fund specifically for Booker T. Washington held about $2,000 as of the day before the meeting. Members discussed multiple fundraising approaches: a large donor campaign (three donors gave $100,000 each for a recent Jefferson statue), multiple smaller events, regional donor outreach (including potential Tuskegee alumni groups) and at least one planned event in Franklin County hosted by commissioners.

Other logistics and background

Commission staff reported there is a Capitol Square master landscape plan and that historically only designated spots have been approved for new statues; recent openings in the square (including the spot once occupied by a different statue) created the present opportunity. Cindy Evan, a commission staff member who has overseen prior memorial solicitations, described the artist-selection process used for recent projects: open requests for proposals, initial submissions narrowed to a short list (the women’s monument drew roughly 36 responses and was reduced to five, then two) and then selection and detailed design work with the chosen studio.

Timing and next steps

The commission scheduled its next meeting for Sept. 22 at noon at the Hampton University Museum and Archives to review historical materials and continue planning. Commissioners also authorized staff to begin an RFP process for artists and to begin planning fundraising events, including at least one event in Franklin County. The chair and clerk will start discussions with House leadership on the requested Section E placement.

The meeting also began with a procedural readoption of the commission’s virtual participation policy (the policy the commission had previously adopted on Sept. 17); members approved the readoption by voice vote.