Context & History
The Cathedral’s Now and Forever Windows capture the resilience, faith and endurance of African Americans and our nation’s struggle with the original sins of racism and slavery.
Windows Removal & Donation To Smithsonian NMAAHC
Timeline, 1931–2021
1931
Discussions begin about ways to honor Robert E. Lee at the Cathedral
1947
The United Daughters of the Confederacy is engaged to help memorialize Lee at the Cathedral in the nave (main level) of the Cathedral, and suggest Stonewall Jackson as the second figure to be represented in the memorial
1948
The United Daughters of the Confederacy decline to participate in the Lee memorial, citing concerns about cost and who would be portrayed alongside Robert E. Lee
1949
The United Daughters of the Confederacy agrees to help raise funds for the Lee memorial
1952
James Sheldon, a Cathedral donor, agrees to pay half of the cost of the Lee memorial as a “damn Yankee” to help reunite North and South
Contract signed for the creation of the Lee and Jackson windows at a cost of $4,600
1953
Lee and Jackson windows are installed and dedicated
2015
After the massacre at Mother Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., then-Dean Gary Hall calls for the windows to be removed
A committee is formed to study the issue and make recommendations (download Task Force Report)
2016
The Cathedral Chapter accepts the findings of the committee report but goes further and orders the removal of the Confederate battle flag from both windows
2017
Following the deadly white supremacist violence in Charlottesville, Va., the Cathedral Chapter orders the windows deconsecrated and removed
2021
The Robert E. Lee window is displayed at an exhibit in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture
Artists Kerry James Marshall and Elizabeth Alexander agree to design replacement windows and carved inscriptions for the former Lee-Jackson bay