Stone arch monument with bronze wraps and granite base against trees.

Central Form A 14-foot high stainless-steel arch whose two uprights begin as separate, rough-hewn columns and gradually fuse into a single polished curve overhead. Opposing sides of a bitter war can ultimately unite under a common civic arc. “Out of Division, Union” engraved along the inner curve. Embedded Storyband A waist-high bronze ribbon spirals once around each column. Cast in low-relief are vignettes of (a) formerly enslaved men joining the U.S. Colored Troops, (b) nurses tending wounded soldiers of both armies, (c) the 1965 Selma march, and (d) a modern, integrated classroom. Links Civil War sacrifice to ongoing quests for civil rights and democracy. Small plaques beside each panel identify the scene and its date. Reflective Plinth 18-inch black-granite base polished to mirror finish; visitors see themselves in its surface. Invites personal reflection: the work of union and equality is unfinished, belonging to every generation. “Look within, then act.” laser-etched on top edge. Native Grove Fringe Semi-circle of young redbud and longleaf-pine saplings planted behind the arch. Living, regionally native trees symbolize renewal and rootedness without favoring one heritage group over another. Ground marker: “Growth follows reckoning.” QR Beacon & Braille Rail A discrete stainless post provides a QR code linking to an NPS digital exhibit (video oral histories, primary documents, and a 3-D model of the removed statue) plus a Braille panel repeating key text. Ensures See more