Stone Mountain's Confederate tributes could undergo makeover

Long-sought changes may be coming to state-owned Stone Mountain Park as officials search for middle ground in the raging debate over the Confederate tributes found throughout the park.

Under pressure from advocates pushing for a transformed park and from corporate sponsors, park officials have proposed a plan that would move the Confederate flags near the carving and expand exhibition space to make room for a more complete story about the massive Confederate monument etched onto the side of Stone Mountain.

Bill Stephens, the CEO of the park, said the museum would highlight “the good, the bad and the ugly” about the carving. He said the changes, which would also include a new “faith and freedom” chapel perched on top the monadnock, could cost at least $1.2 million if the board approves the plan next month.

But the carving – America’s largest monument to the confederacy – would remain as is under the proposal. State law protects the carving, which was publicly dedicated in 1970 following decades of setbacks after the United Daughters of the Confederacy first pitched the idea.

Read more: https://georgiarecorder.com/2021/04/26/stone-mountains-confederate-tributes-could-undergo-makeover/