Shrine of Memory, 20th Century

First dedicated on February 29, 1956, the 20th century Shrine of Memory became the state memorial dedicated to fallen Virginians from World War II. It would later expand to honor Virginia's service members killed in action during the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War. Resting on a hilltop at Belvidere Street, the Shrine overlooks the James River and is visible from the Robert E. Lee Bridge.

Bills for a state memorial were presented to the Senate of Virginia and the Virginia House of Delegates in January 1950. The bill called for the creation of a Virginia World War II Memorial Commission to supervise the construction of the memorial and would be conditioned “upon the city of Richmond, or someone for it, deeding to the Commonwealth of Virginia, without cost to the Commonwealth, a site for said memorial deemed suitable by the city, the commission, and the Governor.” 

The Virginia World War II Memorial Commission was officially created by an Act of the General Assembly, Chapter 244 in April 1950. Members of the memorial commission included four members of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House, three members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, three citizens appointed by the Governor, and the Adjutant-General of the State. The Commission was authorized to supervise the construction of a Memorial that would house “A Shrine of Memory… with an auditorium and appropriate facilities suitable for public patriotic, educational, and recreational assemblies and events under proper auspices and regulations, and with proper provision for the State headquarters of the Adjutant-General of Virginia and the National Guard of Virginia and for the Division of War Veterans’ Claims, and for State headquarters of recognized representative veterans’ organizations- thereby constituting a ‘Living Memorial’ that will be permanently useful, as well as beautiful, and that will furnish inspiration for the future together with recognition for the past.” John J. Wicker Jr., an early supporter of the memorial, served as the chairman of the commission.

The City of Richmond donated land on South Belvidere Street for the proposed memorial. The Commission constructed the Memorial on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia. During construction, the Korean War occurred and the decision was made to expand the scope of the Memorial to honor the fallen Virginians from World War II and the Korean War. The architect for the Memorial was selected from an architectural competition held by the Commission.

The Commission chose architects Samuel J. Collins of Staunton and his nephew, Richard E. Collins to design the building. The architects combined mid-century modernity with the elements of a Greek temple. The memorial is an open marble and glass structure with the names of the war dead from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War etched into the walls. At the southern end of the Shrine stands a marble statue entitled “Memory”. Designed by Leo Friedlander and sculpted by Joseph Campo and William Kapp, the state reflects the sorrow and pride felt by Virginians for the fallen. At her feet rests the Torch of Liberty, an eternal flame representing everlasting patriotism. 

On February 29, 1956, the Commission unveiled the new Memorial in two dedication ceremonies. The 2:30 p.m. on-site dedication was free and open to members of the public. A large crowd attended the program, and speeches were broadcast to those people standing on the north end of the Robert E. Lee Bridge. Notable guests included Virginia Medal of Honor recipients, Gold Star families, presidents of auxiliaries of veterans’ organizations, officials of the Department of Defense, representatives of the Red Cross, and members of the American Battle Monuments Commission. 

Fifty members of Virginia’s General Assembly, veterans of World War II and Korea, participated in the dedication ceremony. Members deposited roughly 200 mementos in the memorial coffers: 144 set into the floor of the Memorial and 56 set into the reflection pool. Major Ernest H. Dervishian, Captain George L. Street, and Mrs. James W. Monteith -Gold Star mother whose son received the Medal of Honor posthumously- lit the “Torch of Liberty” at the base of Memory. The 221st Army Band provided music and a color guard by the 176th Regimental Combat Team, both of the Virginia National Guard. A second dedication program took place later that day at 8:30 p.m. at the Mosque (now the Altria Theater) with a speech delivered by General Matthew B. Ridgway.

The original Act (Chapter 244) was amended in 1979. The amendment changed the name of the Commission to the Virginia War Memorial Commission and expanded the purpose of the Memorial to honor service members of all modern wars. In November 1981, the Virginia War Memorial added a glass panel etched with the names of Virginians killed in action during the Vietnam War. In 1996, the Memorial added the names of seven Virginians who were killed during the Persian Gulf War.

By 1992, the Memorial had fallen into disrepair. The glass and stone walls were threatening to collapse, the Torch of Liberty was extinguished, and the reflecting pool could no longer hold water. A reorganized Virginia War Memorial board of trustees hired retired Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel, Jon Hatfield, as the first executive director of the Memorial in 1997. Under the leadership of Jon C. Hatfield, the Memorial was completely renovated and visitorship improved.

“50 Assemblymen to Take Part in War Memorial Program.” Richmond News Leader (Richmond). 20 February 1956.

Bascque, Peter. "Love, respect flows as center opens." Richmond Times-Dispatch (Richmond). 18 September 2010.

"Dedicatory Ceremonies for State War Memorial are Scheduled Here Today” Richmond Times-Dispatch (Richmond). 29 February 1956.

“No Tickets Due for Dedication of Memorial.” Richmond News Leader (Richmond). 23 February 1956.

“Questions, Answers.” Richmond News Leader (Richmond). 18 January 1951.

Virginia War Memorial Records. USS Birmingham Research Library and Archives, Virginia War Memorial.

"War Memorial Bills Ready for Assembly." Richmond-Times Dispatch (Richmond). 24 January 1950.

Wicker, John J. Records of the Virginia War Memorial Commission, 1953-1983., 1953. Library of Virginia