Statue of Jefferson Davis on University of Texas Campus to be Moved

University of Texas at Austin President Greg Fenves announced on Thursday that the statue of Jefferson Davis will be moved to the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History. The Davis statue is currently located in the Main Mall of the UT campus.  Fenves said the Davis statue will become part of a new educational exhibit at the Briscoe Center.

“As a public university, it is vital that we preserve and understand our history and help our students and the public learn from it in meaningful ways,” said Fenves. “Jefferson Davis had few ties to Texas but played a unique role in the history of the American South that is best explained and understood through an educational exhibit. The Briscoe Center has the expertise to do that.”

Back in June, the statues of Davis and other Confederate figures were vandalized on the UT campus.

According to the University of Texas statues of James Stephen Hogg, Albert Sidney Johnston, John H. Reagan and Robert E. Lee will remain on the Main Mall. The reasons cited for the Hogg, Johnston and Reagan statues remaining where they stand is they "all had deep ties to Texas". Fenves cited Lee’s "complicated legacy to Texas and the nation" for the reason that statue would not be moved.

“The Briscoe Center’s planned renovation includes dedicated exhibit space for the role of symbolism, statuary and public memory in American history,” said Don Carleton, executive director of the center. “The Davis statue will be incorporated into this exhibit, where it will play a prominent role in educating students and visitors.”