Dublin Core
Title
Robert E. Lee Bust, Fort Myers, FL
Description
The Robert E. Lee bust in Downtown Fort Myers, Florida was sculpted by Aldo Pero and installed on January 19, 1966. This bust was commissioned by the Laetitia Ashmore Nutt chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC). Fort Myers is located inside Lee County, Florida. The county was named after Robert E. Lee in 1887 despite Robert E. Lee never visiting the offshoot of Monroe County. Lee County seceded from Monroe County after a dispute regarding funding for a local high school that burned down. The namesake was decided by Francis Asbury Hendry, a politician, cattle rancher, and military officer for the Confederacy in Ft. Myers.
At the base of this monument, there was a time capsule provided by James William Clifford, a member of the Civil War Commission in 1966. The time capsule held Confederate and Union bullets, union shell fragments, a Confederate buckle, a Confederate sword guard, and other memorabilia.
The Robert E. Lee bust has faced vandalism in recent years; it has been completely removed from its pedestal and thrown on the ground. The monument's controversy and affiliation to white supremacy have caused internal debates among the Ft. Myers communities. It has since been removed by the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) for “polishing and retouching” but it is unclear who owns the statue. The statue has been removed twice from its pedestal to be refurbished in its history. However, Robert E. Lees bust was permanently removed from downtown Ft. Myers in June 2020 after peaceful protests, work with the NAACP, and following discussions about racial injustices within the community.
This bust sits in opposition to the Union memorial “Clayton” that sits facing the water at Ft. Myers Centennial Park. Originally “Clayton” faced toward the city-center but was rotated towards the river in 2020. Many have seen this rotation as disrespectful and unbecoming of the city.
Inscription:
"The erection of this monument was sponsored by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Fort Myers chapter, and completed in 1966 A.D. with the assistance of the citizens of Lee County in honor of the man for whom this county was named."
At the base of this monument, there was a time capsule provided by James William Clifford, a member of the Civil War Commission in 1966. The time capsule held Confederate and Union bullets, union shell fragments, a Confederate buckle, a Confederate sword guard, and other memorabilia.
The Robert E. Lee bust has faced vandalism in recent years; it has been completely removed from its pedestal and thrown on the ground. The monument's controversy and affiliation to white supremacy have caused internal debates among the Ft. Myers communities. It has since been removed by the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) for “polishing and retouching” but it is unclear who owns the statue. The statue has been removed twice from its pedestal to be refurbished in its history. However, Robert E. Lees bust was permanently removed from downtown Ft. Myers in June 2020 after peaceful protests, work with the NAACP, and following discussions about racial injustices within the community.
This bust sits in opposition to the Union memorial “Clayton” that sits facing the water at Ft. Myers Centennial Park. Originally “Clayton” faced toward the city-center but was rotated towards the river in 2020. Many have seen this rotation as disrespectful and unbecoming of the city.
Inscription:
"The erection of this monument was sponsored by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Fort Myers chapter, and completed in 1966 A.D. with the assistance of the citizens of Lee County in honor of the man for whom this county was named."
Creator
Aldo Pero and Laetitia Ashmore Nutt chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy
Source
Calligan, Tara. “Robert E. Lee Bust.” South Florida Times, March 26, 2019. https://www.sfltimes.com/news/robert-e-lee-bust.
Hall, Tom. “Robert E. Lee Bust.” ArtSWFL.com. Accessed December 1, 2023. http://www.artswfl.com/public-art-2/fort-myers-river-district-public-art-2/robert-e-lee-bust/robert-e-lee-bust.
Montoya, Melissa. “Robert E. Lee Statue Removed from Downtown Fort Myers.” Press, June 2, 2020. https://www.news-press.com/story/news/local/2020/06/02/robert-e-lee-bust-removed-fort-myers-post/5316700002/.
Perdomo, Andrea. “Robert E. Lee Bust.” ArtSWFL.com, August 18, 2020. http://www.artswfl.com/public-art-2/fort-myers-river-district-public-art-2/robert-e-lee-bust/robert-e-lee-bust.
“Robert E. Lee Bust.” South Florida Times, March 26, 2019. https://www.sfltimes.com/news/robert-e-lee-bust.
Hall, Tom. “Robert E. Lee Bust.” ArtSWFL.com. Accessed December 1, 2023. http://www.artswfl.com/public-art-2/fort-myers-river-district-public-art-2/robert-e-lee-bust/robert-e-lee-bust.
Montoya, Melissa. “Robert E. Lee Statue Removed from Downtown Fort Myers.” Press, June 2, 2020. https://www.news-press.com/story/news/local/2020/06/02/robert-e-lee-bust-removed-fort-myers-post/5316700002/.
Perdomo, Andrea. “Robert E. Lee Bust.” ArtSWFL.com, August 18, 2020. http://www.artswfl.com/public-art-2/fort-myers-river-district-public-art-2/robert-e-lee-bust/robert-e-lee-bust.
“Robert E. Lee Bust.” South Florida Times, March 26, 2019. https://www.sfltimes.com/news/robert-e-lee-bust.
Date
Erected: Janauary 19, 1966
Vandalized: March 2019
Removed: June 2020
Vandalized: March 2019
Removed: June 2020
Contributor
Madison Hardrick
Language
English
Type
Bronze bust on Gray Georgia granite.
Identifier
HIST 402A 2023
Coverage
Fort Myers, FL