A basketball hoop and ball used during the summer 2020 gatherings at Lee Circle are now on view at The Valentine as part of its ongoing exhibition “This Is Richmond, Virginia.”

On loan from the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, the objects represent more than sports equipment. During protests in the shadow of the Robert E. Lee Monument, they became symbols of community resilience and creativity. Families and neighbors gathered there as art, music and activism reshaped the space, which many began calling Marcus-David Peters Circle. 

“Objects like this remind us that history isn’t just about statues and monuments,” said Bill Martin, director of The Valentine. “It’s about the everyday ways people claim space, build community and create meaning — even in moments of conflict and change.” 

BHMVA executive director Shakia Gullette Warren stressed the critical role these objects play in representing community resilience and collective memory. 

“Preserving these powerful symbols of community and resilience is central to our ongoing efforts to tell the full story, not only by recontextualizing artifacts within the Lost Cause narrative, but also by honoring the community’s collective work to ensure their removal and chart a new path forward,” she said. 

The hoop will remain on view through summer 2026. The exhibition features objects, photographs and ephemera highlighting Richmond’s history. 

For more information, visit thevalentine.org or call (804) 649-0711.