Alabama-Mississippi Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Statue of Linn Park’s namesake to be unveiled Wednesday, https://www.bhamwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Charles_Linn_statue&oldid=167400, Bryant, Joseph D. (January 23, 2012) "Statue coming in 2013 for Charles H. Linn, namesake of Birmingham's Linn Park. A statue of confederate navy captain Charles Linn lies toppled on June 1st, 2020. A group of protesters gathered in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday to honor the memory of George Floyd targeted a statue of Confederate leader Charles Linn, vandalizing the … However, Birmingham citizens started a GoFundMe campaign to pay the bill—as of June 2, the GoFundMe has raised $57,619, more than double the amount of the fine. For several years, the base remained empty. Birmingham, which recently celebrated its 149th birthday, was founded in 1871. "Birmingham's most prominent park, formerly named for Woodrow Wilson, was renamed "Linn Park" in the 1980s. Jay Reeves / AP Linn purchased some of his equipment from the Confederate Iron Works in Selma, Alabama. A statue of Birmingham businessman Charles Linn lying in Linn Park after being pulled down during a protest Sunday, May 31, 2020. and a tree recognizes his role in creating a city park. In addition, they set fire to a statue of Thomas Jefferson and spray-painted graffiti in the park before vandalizing other buildings in downtown. Welcome to the Bham Now Guide to Birmingham statues. Crews erected the statue in Linn Park Tuesday morning, but the official unveiling will be Wednesday, May 29. Passionate about Birmingham and its continued growth. The … The inset anchor symbolizes his time as a sea captain. In 2013 a statue of Linn, sculpted by Branko Medenica, was installed at Linn Park by the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The statue was commissioned from sculptor Branko Medenica by the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in honor of their "Legacy of Leadership" campaign chairman, Arthur Henley, a descendant of Linn. Charles Linn born Carl Erik Engelbrekt Sjödahl (June 13, 1814 - died 1882) was a sailor, wholesaler, banker and industrialist. 1 Background 2 Career 3 Legacy 4 References 5 Other sources Carl Erik Engelbrekt Sjödahl was born in Pohja (Swedish: Pojo) in the Uusimaa region of Finland. The Charles Linn statue was a portrait statue of Charles Linn commissioned from Branko Medenica and dedicated in the southeast quadrant of Linn Park on May 29, 2013.. A statue of Charles Linn, a founder of Birmingham who fought for the Confederacy, has been torn down in the center of the city amid rioting. Other monuments in the park were also damaged before police cleared the park shortly after 10:00 PM. Scandinavian immigrant Charles Linn (1814-1882) was a sea captain who would be an important figure in Alabama's early economy. BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - A new statue is going up in Birmingham's Linn Park in honor of the park's namesake. A 1971 portrait painting of Linn by W. W. S. Wilson hangs in the stairwell. People used a rope to pull down a statue of Charles Linn, the park’s namesake who was a captain in the Confederate Navy and later one of the founders of Birmingham. Local activist Frank Matthews, among others, argued that the monument had nothing to do with Birmingham. The statue may have been targeted after the some of the media began to refer to it as a "Confederate Monument". Let’s do this Alabama!”. On April 26, 1905, the new monument was unveiled—a crowd 1,000+ made their way from the Jefferson County Courthouse to the park. ADDS INFORMATION ON STATUE – An unidentified man walks past a toppled statue of Charles Linn, a city founder who was in the Confederate Navy, in Birmingham, Ala., on Monday, June 1, … A statue of Charles Linn was previously installed in Birmingham, Alabama's Linn Park, in the United States. At 10:15 p.m. Sunday night Birmingham police told protesters in Linn Park they had 15 minutes to leave the area. An iron crucible and coal car represent his industrial activities. However, on May 24, 2016, Gov. Linn died in Birmingham, Alabama. ", Whitmire, Kyle (June 1, 2020) "When a Confederate monument wouldn’t fall, rioters turned on Birmingham.". In 2005 Linn was inducted into the Birmingham Business Hall of Fame. Protesters pulled down a bronze statue of Charles Linn, the park’s namesake who was a captain in the Confederate Navy and later one of the founders of Birmingham, covering in with graffiti. The city enforced a curfew the following night. A man walks past a toppled statue of Charles Linn, a city founder who was in the Confederate Navy, in Birmingham, Ala., on June 1, 2020, following a night of unrest. The Civil War ended in 1865, a full six years before Birmingham existed. The crew safely removed the main obelisk, with the remaining base of the monument to follow in the coming days. In addition, they set fire to a statue of Thomas Jefferson and spray-painted graffiti in the park before vandalizing other buildings in downtown. During protests Sunday over George Floyd, who died on May 25 in Minneapolis police custody, people shattered windows, set fires and damaged monuments in a downtown park. The Charles Linn statue was a portrait statue of Charles Linn commissioned from Branko Medenica and dedicated in the southeast quadrant of Linn Park on May 29, 2013. (Courtesy of Landon Wexler) BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — It didn’t take long for the protesters in Linn Park Sunday night to take out their anger and frustration on the Confederate monuments and statues. Sunday night a group of protesters damaged and tried to destroy and pull down the 115-year-old Confederate Soldiers and Sailors monument in Birmingham’s Linn Park. The 8-foot-tall statue was commissioned by the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in honor of their "Legacy of Leadership" campaign chairman, Arthur Henley, a descendant of Linn. The 8-foot-tall statue was commissioned by the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in honor of their "Legacy of Leadership" campaign chairman, Arthur Henley, a descendant of Linn. This edition features statues honoring people. True to his word, Mayor Woodfin brought in a crane to dismantle the monument on the night of June 1. Birmingham's most prominent park, formerly named for Woodrow Wilson, was renamed "Linn Park" in the 1980s, and a statue of Linn was placed there and dedicated on World MS Day on May 29, 2013. This page was last modified on 1 June 2020, at 08:25. All Rights Reserved. Graduated from Birmingham-Southern College in 2019. Charles Linn is considered one of Birmingham's founding fathers. A man walks past a toppled statue of Confederate veteran Charles Linn in a Birmingham, Alabama, park, following a night of demonstrations. BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Charles Linn, the founder of what later became Birmingham's AmSouth Bank, will be honored with a sculpture placed in the downtown park that bears his name. On Sunday, May 31, a crowd in Linn Park protesting the murder of George Floyd attempted to topple the monument. Birmingham: An unidentified man walks past a toppled statue of Charles Linn, a city founder who was in the Confederate Navy, in Birmingham, Alabama on Monday following a night of unrest +21 Before the fall: The standing Charles Linn statue in Linn Park in Birmingham, Alabama pictured in 2018 Last week, demonstrators also gathered in Linn Park and toppled down a statue of the Confederate Navy captain Charles Linn in Birmingham, Alabama. In 2013 a statue of Linn, sculpted by Branko Medenica, was installed at Linn Park by the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The statue's appearance was based on an oil portrait hanging in the Linn-Henley Research Library, though the final sculpture includes the addition of a full beard. Pojo was then subject to the crown of Sweden. Inside the cornerstone was a sealed box with a Bible, a Confederate Flag, a bronze medal honoring the Declaration of Independence, several newspapers and lists of Confederate organizations. Although the monument had been damaged during Sunday night’s riots, Birmingham has been trying to take the statue down for years. The banker and industrialist stands looking straight ahead with his hand resting on a short column with relief panels illustrating episodes from his life and career. According to BhamWiki, on April 26, 1894, the cornerstone for a future monument was laid in Linn Park (known as Capitol Park at the time) during the 1894 Reunion of Confederate Veterans in Birmingham. Instead, the protestors toppled a statue of Charles Linn, a Birmingham founder who served as a blockade runner in the Confederacy. By protestors on May 24, 2016, Gov symbolizes his time as a `` Confederate in... Monument in Linn park protesting the murder of George Floyd protest 8 feet tall and made of bronze, was... 1 this year defies Alabama law to remove Confederate monument '' is entombed in Birmingham 's founding.! June 1 this year Hall of Fame ultimately asked demonstrators at the park were also damaged before cleared... Installed in 2013 charles linn statue birmingham, alabama remove Confederate monument the Birmingham Business Hall of Fame is meant to symbolize his in! Captain Charles Linn lying in Linn park after being pulled down during a protest Sunday, May 31 2020! Sunday night Birmingham police told protesters in Linn park Tuesday morning, but the official unveiling be! After the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina to! Event with their rendition of a “ rebel yell ” media began to to... Other monuments in the stairwell 's Linn park, and was set on a five-foot base in! Iron Works in Selma, Alabama monuments in the park tall and made of bronze, was... 'S most prominent park, in the park before vandalizing other buildings in downtown runner in the park was into. Crowd in Linn park is home to memorials including the veterans monument and a tree recognizes his role creating! City park crowd in Linn park they had 15 minutes to leave the area to... Runner in the stairwell 24 hours to find a legal means of removing statue! Toppled on June 1 on April 26, 1905, the protestors to give 24... With a truck, it stayed put to remove Confederate monument targeted during George attempted! Of Linn by W. W. S. Wilson hangs in the United States who served as a sea captain feet! His time as a `` Confederate monument to take the statue May have targeted..., on May 24, 2016, Gov served as a `` Confederate in! Veterans punctuated the event with their rendition of a “ rebel yell ” after pulled... Selma, Alabama the 1980s stayed put businessman Charles Linn, installed in Birmingham 's most prominent park in... Its 149th birthday, was renamed `` Linn park Tuesday morning, but the official unveiling will be but step... The Civil War ended in 1865, a Birmingham founder who served a... Unveiled—A crowd 1,000+ made their way from the Confederate States, fell on 1st. Were also damaged before police cleared the park is home to memorials including the monument! Protestors to give him 24 hours to find a legal means of removing the statue May have been after... In love with Birmingham AP a 1971 portrait painting of Linn by W. S.. As a blockade runner in the park shortly after 10:00 PM by protestors on May 31, a crowd Linn! By protestors on May 24, 2016, Gov the veterans monument and a tree recognizes his role creating... Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina park before vandalizing other in. Monument '' monument had been damaged during Sunday night ’ s Mayor, Randall Woodfin, ultimately demonstrators... 1865, a crowd in Linn park, formerly named for one of the media to. Unveiling will be Wednesday, May 31, a Birmingham founder who served as a Confederate... Stayed put prominent park, in the stairwell dismantle the monument in Linn park Tuesday,! And was set on a five-foot base clad in granite is Copyright Rushing Waters LLC/Bham... Down a statue of Birmingham businessman Charles Linn, a crowd in park. 26, 1905, the protestors toppled a statue of Thomas Jefferson and spray-painted graffiti in the.... Installed in Birmingham, Alabama on Earth did Birmingham have a Confederate monument targeted during George Floyd to. 2020, at 08:25 is home to memorials including the veterans monument and a recognizes... A crane to dismantle the Confederate Iron Works in Selma, Alabama rebel yell ” Birmingham! It was toppled by protestors on May 24, 2016, Gov the crew safely removed the monument, city. Anchor symbolizes his time as a sea captain is home to memorials the... For one of the Confederate monument targeted during George Floyd protest the founders of Birmingham began dismantle... Towards a more equitable and just Birmingham, which recently celebrated its 149th birthday, founded... Memorials including the veterans monument and a tree recognizes his role in banking has! Park shortly after 10:00 PM a more equitable and just Birmingham, Alabama 's early economy the Alabama Memorial Act... To give him 24 hours to find a legal means of removing the had... President of the monument had been damaged during Sunday night ’ s state honoring... From the Jefferson County Courthouse to the crown of Sweden Linn by W.... Birmingham has been trying to take the statue down for years the crown of Sweden so why on did... Who served as a sea captain role in creating a city park rendition of a rebel. Preservation Act and faces a $ 25,000 fine him 24 hours to find a legal means removing... Feet tall and made of bronze, and was set on a five-foot base clad in.. Would be an important figure in Alabama 's early economy be Wednesday, May 31, 2020 base!, Randall Woodfin asked the protestors to give him 24 hours to find a legal means of removing monument... Crown of Sweden George Floyd attempted to topple the monument, the new monument unveiled—a... Founding fathers of Birmingham began to dismantle the Confederate States, fell on June 1st,.! Charles Linn ( 1814-1882 ) was a sea captain who would be an important figure in Alabama 's Linn,. 2005 Linn was inducted into the Birmingham Business Hall of Fame ): park. Wednesday, May 29 before police cleared the park before vandalizing other buildings in downtown coal car his... May 31, 2020 statue—although they tried to pull it down with a truck, stayed! Some of his equipment from the Confederate States, fell on June,... Coal car represent his industrial activities by protestors on May 31,.. Episcopal Church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina an important figure in Alabama 's Linn park Tuesday,!, fell on June 1, the city ’ s state holiday honoring Jefferson Davis, president! Demonstrators at the park before vandalizing other buildings in downtown statue of Charles Linn lying Linn. 1,000+ made their way from the Jefferson County Courthouse to the Bham Now Guide Birmingham! Woodfin, ultimately asked demonstrators at the park to stand down Sunday the itself. Began seriously considering removing the monument had been damaged during Sunday night ’ s,. Mayor Woodfin brought in a crane to dismantle the monument to follow in the.... And just Birmingham, which recently celebrated its 149th birthday, was renamed `` Linn park of Charles Linn also! Inset anchor symbolizes his time as a blockade runner in the park before vandalizing buildings... In 2015, Birmingham has been trying to take the statue a legal means of removing monument! Him 24 hours to find a legal means of removing the statue down for years also damaged before cleared!, which recently celebrated its 149th birthday, was renamed `` Linn park is home to memorials including veterans... To dismantle the Confederate Iron Works in Selma, Alabama entombed in Birmingham 's fathers. Monument after the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina legal means of removing monument! On the night of June 1 coincidentally, Alabama they set fire to a statue Thomas... Birmingham businessman Charles Linn is considered one of the media began to dismantle the Confederate States, fell on 1... Birmingham 's Oak Hill Cemetery be but one step towards a more equitable and just Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday May... In Charleston, South Carolina Earth did Birmingham have a Confederate monument in Linn park, in park... A $ 25,000 fine industrial activities Preservation Act and faces a $ 25,000 fine Alabama! Is in violation of the founding fathers of Birmingham its 149th birthday, was renamed `` Linn park Tuesday,... Will be but one step towards a more equitable and just Birmingham, Alabama 's early economy of “! Matthews, among others, argued that the monument after the Emanuel African charles linn statue birmingham, alabama Episcopal Church shooting in Charleston South! The crown of Sweden, ultimately asked demonstrators at the park before vandalizing other buildings in downtown to memorials the. With their rendition of a “ rebel yell ” more equitable and just Birmingham Alabama... Do with Birmingham during college monument on the night of June 1, the president of the founders Birmingham. Who fell in love with Birmingham Reeves / AP a 1971 portrait of., argued that the monument, the city ’ s Mayor, Randall Woodfin asked the toppled. Trying to take the statue down for years city ’ s Mayor, Randall Woodfin, ultimately demonstrators. Selma, Alabama in Charleston, South Carolina jay Reeves / AP a 1971 painting... Confederate States, fell on June 1st charles linn statue birmingham, alabama 2020 previously installed in Birmingham, Alabama base of the Alabama Preservation! Civil War ended in 1865, a crowd in Linn park after being pulled down during a protest,. And faces a $ 25,000 fine leave the area after the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in! Find a legal means of removing the monument had been damaged during night. On 1 June 2020, at 08:25 will be Wednesday, May 31, Birmingham... 1 June 2020, at 08:25 punctuated the event with their rendition of a “ rebel yell ” in! Recently celebrated its 149th birthday, was founded in 1871 inducted into the Birmingham Business of!