James Oglethorpe Monument facts for kids
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James Oglethorpe Monument (2015)
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| Location | Chippewa Square, Savannah, Georgia, United States |
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| Designer | Daniel Chester French Henry Bacon (pedestal) |
| Material | Bronze Granite |
| Height | 9 feet (2.7 m) (statue only) |
| Dedicated to | James Oglethorpe |
The James Oglethorpe Monument is a public statue found in Chippewa Square in Savannah, Georgia. This monument honors James Oglethorpe, who founded the Province of Georgia and the city of Savannah in 1733. People started working to build this monument in 1901. Several patriotic groups in Savannah helped get money from the government for it. The monument features a bronze statue of Oglethorpe, created by Daniel Chester French. It stands on a large granite base designed by Henry Bacon. The monument was officially revealed in 1910. Thousands of people watched the ceremony, including many important government leaders.
Contents
Who Was James Oglethorpe?
James Oglethorpe was a soldier and a kind person who helped others. In 1732, he founded the Province of Georgia. This happened after the Parliament of Great Britain gave permission to the Georgia Trustees. In November 1732, Oglethorpe and over a hundred people sailed from England. Their goal was to start a new colony.
On February 12, 1733, these settlers created the city of Savannah, Georgia. It was built at Yamacraw Bluff along the Savannah River. Oglethorpe was very involved in the colony's growth for several years. He also led the colony's defenses during the War of Jenkins' Ear. This war against the Spanish Empire began in 1739.
In 1742, Oglethorpe's forces successfully stopped a Spanish attack on Georgia. The next year, Oglethorpe led an attack on the Spanish settlement of St. Augustine, Florida. This attack was not successful. After this, Oglethorpe was called back to England. He passed away there in 1785.
Building the Monument
Starting the Project
On May 18, 1901, a group called the Oglethorpe Monument Association was officially formed. Their main goal was to raise money. They also wanted to bring together different patriotic groups. These groups all wanted to build a monument for Oglethorpe in Savannah.
The association included six people from each of four patriotic groups:
- The Georgia Society of Colonial Dames of America
- The Sons of the Revolution
- The Daughters of the American Revolution
- The Society of Colonial Wars
The group had its first meeting on November 28, 1902. By 1905, they had collected about $5,000.
Getting Government Help
In the summer of 1905, the president of the Colonial Dames asked state representatives from Chatham County for help. They wanted the Georgia General Assembly to provide money for the monument. On July 12, they suggested a plan to the Georgia House of Representatives. This plan asked for money to build the monument.
On August 10, a committee suggested giving $15,000 for the monument. The plan was voted on and discussed many times. Finally, on August 13, an updated version of the bill was approved by the House of Representatives. The Georgia State Senate approved it two days later. Then, Joseph M. Terrell, who was the Governor of Georgia, signed it into law.
An update to the plan on August 2, 1906, stated that the monument would be built in Chippewa Square. This area was owned by the state. The state government provided the $15,000 in two payments, one in 1907 and one in 1908.
Designing the Statue
After the plan passed, the governor created a group of seven people to manage the project. In late 1906, this group chose sculptor Daniel Chester French. He was working with architect Henry Bacon at the time. French was chosen to design the statue of Oglethorpe. Bacon was in charge of designing the statue's base, called the pedestal. Years later, these two artists would also work together to design the famous Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C..
French decided to show Oglethorpe as a military leader. He looked at many pictures of Oglethorpe to make sure the statue looked accurate. On May 10, 1909, some members of the commission asked the city of Savannah for more money. They realized the monument would cost more than they had. The city approved their request for an extra $15,000. The patriotic groups also raised more money. The total cost for the monument was $38,000.
In 1910, two smaller statues of Confederate generals were moved from Chippewa Square. This made space for the Oglethorpe monument. These statues were moved to Forsyth Park.
Unveiling the Monument
The monument was officially revealed on November 23, 1910. Before it was shown, it was covered by the flags of Georgia and England. The ceremony was a big event. Many important people attended, including:
- Georgia Governor Joseph M. Brown
- Alabama Governor B. B. Comer
- Senators Augustus O. Bacon and Joseph M. Terrell
- Representative Charles G. Edwards
- Chancellor David C. Barrow from the University of Georgia
Many military groups and thousands of people also came to watch. Bishop Frederick F. Reese of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia gave a prayer. After this, several speeches were made. One speech was given by A. Mitchell Innes, who was the acting British ambassador.
After the speeches, French and the head of the commission led Governor Brown and J. J. Wilder to the monument. Wilder was the president of the Society of Colonial Dames of America. Together, they removed the flags and officially showed the monument to everyone.
The next day, which was Thanksgiving, there were more celebrations. The Georgia Bulldogs and the Auburn Tigers played their yearly football game. It took place in a field near Chippewa Square. The governors of Georgia and Alabama were among the 5,000 people who watched the game.
In 1957, the Georgia Historical Commission placed a Georgia historical marker near the monument. This marker tells the story of the monument.
Monument Design Details
The statue of Oglethorpe is made of bronze. It stands 9 feet (2.7 meters) tall. Oglethorpe is shown wearing a military uniform from the 1700s. This includes a metal chest plate, a vest, boots, and a three-cornered hat. He also wears a wig, just like he did in real life. Oglethorpe holds a sword in his hand. A palmetto leaf is next to his feet. The statue faces south. This direction, according to the Georgia Historical Society, shows "the threat of Spain’s imperial ambitions to the young colony."
The pedestal (base) for the statue is made of pink-gray marble. It was designed in the Italian Renaissance style. The pedestal sits on a large square base. This base has four lion rampants, one on each corner. Each lion holds a shield. These shields show Oglethorpe's family coat of arms. They also show the seals of the state of Georgia, the colony of Georgia, and the city of Savannah. The base is also decorated with garlands (flower and leaf decorations).
Part of the original document that gave Oglethorpe permission to found the colony is written on the monument. On the south side of the monument, it says:
Erected by
The State of Georgia
The City of Savannah,
And the Patriotic
Societies of the State
To the Memory of
The Great Soldier
Eminent Statesman, and
Famous Philanthropist,
General James Edward Oglethorpe who in
This City on the 12th
Day of February
A. D. 1733 Founded and
Established the
Colony of Georgia
Images for kids
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Georgia historical marker for the monument
See also
In Spanish: Monumento a James Oglethorpe para niños
