The National Park Service (NPS) recently announced plans to restore and reinstall a statue of Albert Pike, a Confederate general, in Judiciary Square, Washington, D.C., a site home to various federal courthouses and office buildings. This decision comes after the statue was removed during the protests that erupted following the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
The NPS emphasized that this restoration is consistent with federal historic preservation laws and executive orders aimed at beautifying the nation’s capital by reinstating statues that once stood in the city.
Originally authorized by Congress in 1898 and dedicated in 1901, the statue commemorates Pike’s prominent role in Freemasonry, noting his 32 years as Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.
Stephen A. West, an associate professor of history at The Catholic University of America, voiced his thoughts on the matter, expressing that historical perspectives evolve over time. He noted, “Sometimes, you hear people say that we need to leave up monuments of figures whom we don’t revere or whom the public doesn’t — in some cases — even know about, because to tear them down would be to destroy or erase our history. And I don’t agree with that point of view.”
West further clarified that while he disagrees with the method protesters chose to remove the statue, he does not oppose the idea that as societal values shift, so too do the figures we choose to commemorate.
The statue had been uniquely positioned as the only statue honoring a Confederate figure in Washington, D.C., outside of a museum. Yet, it depicted Pike not as a military leader but in civilian clothing, focusing instead on his Masonic leadership.
The Catholic Church has historically viewed Freemasonry as incompatible with its teachings, labeling it a heresy partly due to its characterization of the Supreme Being and the denial of Christ’s divinity.
Since its removal, the statue has been securely stored and is currently undergoing restoration at the NPS’s Historic Preservation Training Center. Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District of Columbia’s nonvoting delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, criticized the decision to reinstall the statue, stating, “I’ve long believed Confederate statues should be placed in museums as historical artifacts, not remain in parks and locations that imply honor.”
Norton described Pike’s actions during the Civil War as dishonorable, calling his reinstatement as morally objectionable. She highlighted Pike’s history of misappropriating funds and being captured by his own troops, which led to his resignation amid disgrace.
In light of the NPS’s announcement, Norton expressed her intention to reintroduce legislation aimed at removing the statue from public display, advocating for donations to local museums instead. She firmly stated, “A statue honoring a racist and a traitor has no place on the streets of D.C.”
Compounding concerns over Pike’s legacy is his documented involvement with anti-Catholic sentiment, joining the Know-Nothing Party in the mid-19th century, which was known for its nativist and anti-Catholic stance. Historical accounts detail Pike attending the party’s national convention in 1856, although he exited in protest when the party did not adopt a strong pro-slavery platform.
West pointed out that while Pike’s anti-Catholicism may not be the primary focus for many of his contemporaries in the political climate of his era, it did reflect the sentiments held by those who collaborated with him.
While some historians accuse Pike of joining the Ku Klux Klan after the Civil War, others, including members of the Freemason community, dispute that claim, although chapters of the KKK in various states have been named after him.
Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, expressed his disagreement with both the removal and the reinstatement opposition. He stated, “It was wrong to take down the statue of Albert Pike in 2020, and it is wrong to object to reinstalling it now.”
While acknowledging Pike’s anti-Catholic sentiments, he criticized a modern interpretation of history that he sees as overly puritanical and disconnected from the realities of the past.
On the topic of statue restoration, Grant Jones, executive director of the Knights of Peter Claver, maintained a neutral stance and noted their organization typically refrains from commenting on politically sensitive matters. However, he articulated concern regarding the broader trajectory of societal values, describing it as unfortunate and misaligned with church teachings.
West added that when introducing students to memorials around Washington, he emphasizes that such monuments often reflect the values and aspirations of those who erected them rather than solely the individuals being memorialized. In Pike’s case, West explained, the Masons’ decision to memorialize him showcases their influence and resources at the beginning of the 20th century.
He concluded that many government officials advocating for Pike’s restoration may lack a comprehensive understanding of his legacy and why he should be honored in contemporary society.
West remarked, “I would think they would be hard pressed to tell you why this is somebody that we should sort of honor and commemorate in the United States in 2025.”
image source from：catholicreview
