The story of Virginia’s “Massive Resistance” to school integration is complex, not widely known, and to some, best left untold. The intent of this project was to memorialize this civil rights struggle that had been relegated to history books and give the story context in the heart of Norfolk. After over 10 years of planning the memorial has finally been realized in Flatiron Park located in downtown Norfolk.

Working with RE:site and the City of Norfolk, VIA situated the monument on a site overlooking the Federal Courthouse, which was pivotal to the history, and became a natural setting for a thought-provoking work of art. The park was the former site of an iconic triangular office tower demolished in 1991. The site parallels the Tide light rail line with safety setback zones restricting development of the south portion of the site. The lot is raised within low retaining walls, cut off from the surrounding sidewalks and largely unused, with original plantings neglected. The walls encompass among other things a bank vault that was left in place after demolition and shallowly covered with fill, further limiting site development.

From RE:site’s statement:

“Using the metaphor of breaking down the barrier of a school building wall, the monument features a sculptural “de-materialization” of conventional bricks to translucent bricks. The glass bricks reveal powerful and emotional images telling the story of desegregation in Norfolk. Both sunlight and dramatic nighttime illumination penetrate the transparent areas of the wall, becoming a powerful symbol of the triumph of social justice. As the sunlight passes through the surface, it projects historical photos washing the plaza and visitors with imagery of the Civil Rights Movement. This visually connects our own time with the meaningful events of the past. Much of the wall’s imagery focuses on the inspirational bravery and sacrifice of the courageous students, known as the Norfolk 17, who ended Virginia’s program of “Massive Resistance” to the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision.”

Inspired by the RE:sites’ vision, VIA took on the challenge of locating a 60-foot structural glass wall within a narrow, oddly shaped site. VIA performed all site analysis, site design and circulation options, hardscape and planting material selections and design, local design board approvals, and construction phase services. VIA also coordinated regularly with the artist team to assist in the integration of the memorial art.

VIA was able to provide a green oasis downtown by preserving all existing trees. The final memorial park includes a new sloping sidewalk that provides an accessible route to a paved viewing area on all sides of the wall, and a wide stair is integrated into the footprint of the retaining wall. Informal plantings further accentuate the memorial and provide intimacy around the viewing zone, becoming more exuberant as the wall becomes more transparent and filled with imagery. The result is a different kind of park, drawing people in to look to our current and future social challenges as much as to the past.

 The Memorial was designed by RE:site, specialists in creating public art, memorials, and commemorative spaces. Visit their Project Page about the End of Massive Resistance to learn more about their approach to the project and view their other work.