Ed Johnson Memorial

A circular plaza bounded by stone walls including seating, Story Walls, paving designs with engraved quotation. Three life size bronze figures of Ed Johnson, Styles Hutchins and Noah Parden. Three stylized bronze sculptures extending the memorial beyond the circular plaza honoring other victims of lynching.

ABOUT THE SCULPTURES

The three life-size bronze figures at the heart of this memorial were created by Jerome Meadows, the Artist and Lead Designer for the Ed Johnson Memorial Project. Two of these figures are depictions of Noah Parden and Styles Hutchins, the two African American attorneys who took on the struggle in pursuit of Justice for Ed Johnson. Each of these figures holds a document attesting to their appellate court efforts during that process.

Noah Parden is turned facing the location on the bridge of Ed Johnson's lynching, while Styles Hutchins extends his hand towards that of Ed Johnson. This primary figure, located at the apex of the triangular formation, is the artist's representation of Ed Johnson. He is symbolically positioned, as if in stride, with his back turned towards the location on the Walnut Street Bridge from which he was lynched. A tell-tale noose lies at his feet. His right hand is extended forward as a gesture allowing visitors to further engage in reflecting on the Ed Johnson story.

Taken together, as centrally positioned along The Stream of Time, their grouping is intended to convey the Courage, Compassion and Grace which underscores this tragic and significant historical event.

Beyond where The Stream of Time bisects the memorial plaza it transitions into The Stream of History. This component is comprised of numerous large, rough hewn stones stacked as if cascading down a portion of the topography towards the river below. Incorporated into this configuration are three semi-abstract sculptures. These bronze works acknowledge and pay homage to additional African Americans from Chattanooga's past who fell victim to lynching.