Tennessee museum to open Confederate bust to public

July 26, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. | Updated July 26, 2021 at 1:00 p.m.

by Associated Press

The Nathan Bedford Forrest bust is removed from the State Capitol by workers Friday, July 23, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. The State Building Commission on Thursday gave approval for the relocation of the Forrest bust to the Tennessee State Museum, a final step in a process that has taken more than a year since Gov. Bill Lee first said it was time for the statue to be moved. (George Walker IV /The Tennessean via AP)
The Nathan Bedford Forrest bust is removed from the State Capitol by workers Friday, July 23, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. The State Building Commission on Thursday gave approval for the relocation of the Forrest bust to the Tennessee State Museum, a final step in a process that has taken more than a year since Gov. Bill Lee first said it was time for the statue to be moved. (George Walker IV /The Tennessean via AP)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The Tennessee State Museum will soon allow the public to view the busts of three military leaders, including a former Confederate general and early Ku Klux Klan leader.

On Friday, officials removed a Nathan Bedford Forrest bust that had been displayed inside the Tennessee Capitol since 1978. The busts of Union Navy Adm. David Farragut and U.S. Navy Adm. Albert Gleaves also were moved.

According to Gov. Bill Lee's office, the busts will be on display and available to be viewed at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville starting Tuesday.

Forrest was a Confederate cavalry general who amassed a fortune before the Civil War as a Memphis slave trader and plantation owner. Later, he was a leader of the Klan as it terrorized Black people, reversing Reconstruction efforts and restoring white power in the South.

It's unknown what exact details will be posted about Forrest.

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