Monument to Colonel E.A. Washington

The Col. E. A. Washington monument is explained to be a symbol of inspiration for African Americans.

The icy hands touched the frame of E.A. Washington and laid him low but the pyramids of Egypt, the massive columns of Karnak, the Acropolis of Athens, the mounds of the Aztecs; all bespeak silently but surely a glory to their builders. These monuments show to the world what man has done and inspire him to do more and greater things in the these directions, and the world will forget these architects and cease to emulate them about as soon as this community forgets the work of Col. E. A. Washington. The Sunday School, the Church, the Cashier’s Desk are silent but substantial monuments to his memory. No monument of iron, brass, or stone can outlive the influence for good which now live and forever will live to his credit. In an exemplary home, in an enlightened and intelligent Sunday School. In a progressive and increasing Church, in a better condition of Church Hill affairs, financially, materially, and morally, in fact in all which is tending to uplift our people to a place in life, we can conscientiously say, behold the enduring monuments to Col. E. A. Washington. They stand forever as an inspiration to all Afro-American youth desiring a better to-morrow.

“Monument to Colonel E.A. Washington,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed May 12, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/514.