Where We Stand: Civil War, Race & Recreation

On Friday, October 4th, 2019, at 5:30 pm, at the Peterson Dumesnil House (301 S. Peterson Avenue), the Louisville Historical League will hold a discussion of public art centered around the life and legacy of John Castleman. There will be a panel discussion and then open forum to further evaluate this topic as per the following description: John Castleman was a man dedicated to service and some say this legacy is best told in three parts—war, race and recreation. On the other hand, Castleman opponents cite the fact that Castleman was a confederate soldier and allege that he segregated the public parks as justification for removing a statue of him in Cherokee Triangle. Because the confederate army fought to uphold slavery, Castleman, to his opponents of today, is automatically labeled a racist. Additionally, Castleman’s ties to the confederacy gives credibility to the claim that he segregated the public parks. Where We Stand, will judge whether that is fair. The discussion aims to generate dialogue that produces a method or set of rules for judging history and her famous figures, especially those memorialized in public art. We will give voice to all sides of the Castleman debate, establish the facts of his life, and possibly solidify Castleman’s legacy. By the end of the discussion, a criterion by which to determine what types of art should be permitted/erected/allowed to remain on public grounds should emerge.