Lee, Robert Edward, Scuplture
Also known as: VDHR No. 104-0264
Why it's listed
Set in Lee Park in Charlottesville, Virginia, this heroic-sized bronze shows Robert E. Lee seated on his horse Traveller atop an oval pink granite pedestal about 26 feet high overall. Philanthropist Paul Goodloe McIntire commissioned it from sculptor Henry Shrady in 1917 and gave it to the city, along with the landscaped square created on the site of an 1829 house he demolished. Shrady, chronically ill, died in 1922 before finishing, and Leo Lentelli completed the work, which was cast by the Roman Bronze Works of Brooklyn and dedicated on 21 May 1924. Architect Walter Blair designed the pedestal, which carries an eagle with oak leaves on one face and a laurel wreath on the other. The nomination cites the sculpture as an important example of outdoor figurative art by National Sculpture Society members during the late City Beautiful movement, and as one of McIntire's gifts between 1919 and 1924.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is significant under Criterion C at the state level as an important art object exhibiting the figurative style of outdoor sculpture by members of the National Sculpture Society, tied to the City Beautiful movement. It is one of the works donated by Paul Goodloe McIntire between 1919 and 1924. The sculpture was conceived by Henry Shrady and completed by Leo Lentelli after Shrady's death.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 97000447, listed May 16, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Lee Park, bounded by Market, Jefferson, 1st and 2nd Sts., NE., Charlottesville (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Charlottesville |
| Listed | May 16, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000447 |
| Resource type | Object |
| Period of significance | 1919 - 1924 |
| Architect / builder | Shrady, Henry; Lentelli, Leo |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Art |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Retains historic integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association; the bronze shows green patina and corrosion streaks after 71 years of exposure. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Charlottesville and Albemarle County Courthouse Historic District |
| Coordinates | 38.03203, -78.47798 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 97000447.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15272827
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.