Confederate Monument Move: Howard County Historical Society Readies For Addition

ELLICOTT CITY, MD - The Howard County Historical Society was not involved in the decision to remove a Confederate monument from the Howard County Circuit Courthouse grounds this week but will be handling its future. The museum announced that it has entered into an agreement to incorporate the piece into its Civil War collection.

The memorial was dedicated by the Howard County Confederate Monument Association in 1949 to honor a list of "brave men who fought so courageously in the Confederate army," according to its inscription.

County Executive Allan Kittleman filed for its removal on Aug. 16, and it was removed overnight Monday.

“It has become increasingly clear in recent weeks that memorials such as this are hurtful to many residents in our community and elsewhere,” Kittleman said in a statement. “Given these feelings and the tragedy in Charlottesville, I felt compelled to remove this memorial from public property."

During a deadly riot on Aug. 12 in Charlottesville, white supremacists rallied against the Virginia city's decision to remove a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, an issue former slave-holding areas have been grappling with more than 150 years after the end of the Civil War.

• Confederate Monument Removed From Howard County Courthouse Grounds

"The [Howard County Historical] Society was not involved with the decision to remove the memorial, but as the primary repository for the collection and preservation of artifacts pertaining to Howard County's history, it is our mission to accept this donation," Executive Director Shawn Gladden said in a statement this week.

Gladden said on Wednesday that he signed a memorandum of understanding with the county establishing the historical society would keep the monument in the museum collection.

'We look forward to installing it in the museum as a part of our recently opened exhibit on Howard County's role in the Civil War," Gladden said. "We will make an announcement when the memorial plaque is installed."

The Museum of Howard County History is located at 8328 Court Avenue, next to the courthouse in Ellicott City. It is free to the public. Hours are Friday to Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman.