Virden – battle memorial

VIRDEN (town square)
More than one hundred years after the 1898 Battle of Virden, a coalition of major patrons (State of Illinois Coal Office, UMWA District 12, Illinois AFL-CIO, City of Virden, principal individual donors) and small donors raised the funds with which to commission a memorial representing the violent labor event that took place here. The result of their initiative is a magnificent, evocative bronze bas-relief measuring 6.5’ x 12’ that was created by artist David Seagraves of Elizabeth, IL. It was unveiled in the Virden town square in October 2006.

The detail on this beautiful memorial is extraordinary. We show its elements below in images generously provided by Mr. Seagraves.

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