A memorial sculpture titled “Authors and Architects,” the result of years of investigation and teamwork, has been erected at Roanoke College to recognize and honor the enslaved people who labored there.
SALEM, Va., May 10, 2025 — The sculpture acknowledges the contributions of enslaved individuals to the college’s past. The sculpture, created by Richmond artist Sandy Williams IV in collaboration with Creative Time, represents a key moment in the college’s extensive research into the history of slavery at Roanoke and in the surrounding region.
The installation represents the culmination of over a decade of effort to discover and comprehend the impact of slavery on the college’s existence. This involved participation in the Universities Studying Slavery organization, the establishment of the , and extensive research by CSSR Director, College Historian, and Professor Jesse Bucher and his students.
According to Roanoke College President Frank Shushok Jr., “The ‘Authors and Architects’ memorial is a touching homage and a strong reminder of the 829 enslaved people whose immense sacrifices helped build Roanoke College into what it is today.”
The large bronze sculpture takes the form of stacked books, many of which bear the names of enslaved people connected to the institution’s history. These names were discovered through hours of research by 15 Roanoke College students as part of the .
The books that make up the cube-shaped sculpture were created from 3D scans of the college’s original library and record books. The sculpture will serve as a lasting tribute to the enslaved laborers. At the same time, it will recognize the freedom and education they were denied and emphasize their significant role in the development and success of the Roanoke community.
Roanoke College Board Chair Malon Courts ’92 stated, “Roanoke College is still committed to investigating our history with care and honesty as we progress. This effort strengthens our community and ensures that the contributions of all those who shaped our institution—both named and unnamed—are remembered and honored.”
Williams said, “My hope is that this memorial experience will help to humanize the legacy of enslaved people in ways that are now lacking in official records and histories.”
SOURCE Roanoke College
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