Statement from the President General

6/8/2025

As a result of the fire set by rioters on the evening of May 30, 2020, to the United Daughters of the Confederacy headquarters, our museum, library and offices sustained damages totaling more than $4.1 million. This included the loss of priceless artifacts, furniture and rare books, many of which are irreplaceable. Replacing books in the Goodlett Library is still an ongoing project five years later. We are grateful for the outpouring of donations.

Currently, the UDC does not know the identities of the arsonists but is actively investigating the attack to determine the perpetrators’ identities.

A suit has been filed against parties unknown in order to preserve our claims from expiring under the 5-year statute of limitations for property damage. Opening a lawsuit now allows for records to be subpoenaed which could expose other evidence.

Julie N. Hardaway, President General