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 special statue in Chippewa Square in Savannah, Georgia. It honors James Oglethorpe, who was super important in starting the state of Georgia. He founded the city of Savannah way back in 1733. People wanted to build this monument for a long time. It finally happened in 1910. The monument has a bronze statue of Oglethorpe. It was designed by a famous artist named Daniel Chester French. The big stone base was designed by Henry Bacon.
Contents
Who Was James Oglethorpe?
James Oglethorpe was a soldier and a kind person. He helped create the Province of Georgia in 1732. This new colony was a fresh start for many people from England. In November 1732, Oglethorpe and over a hundred settlers sailed from England. They arrived and founded the city of Savannah, Georgia, on February 12, 1733. This was at a place called Yamacraw Bluff by the Savannah River.
Oglethorpe worked hard to help the colony grow. He also led its defense during a war. This war was called the War of Jenkins' Ear. It was against the Spanish Empire and started in 1739. In 1742, Oglethorpe's forces stopped a Spanish attack on Georgia. The next year, he tried to attack a Spanish town in Florida but didn't succeed. After that, Oglethorpe went back to England. He passed away there in 1785.
Building the Monument
People in Savannah really wanted to honor James Oglethorpe. In 1901, a group called the Oglethorpe Monument Association was formed. This group brought together several patriotic societies. Their goal was to raise money and plan for a monument. Groups like the Georgia Society of Colonial Dames of America helped out. By 1905, they had collected about $5,000.
Getting more money was a big task. State leaders from Savannah asked the Georgia General Assembly for help. After much discussion, the state government agreed to give $15,000. This money was given in two parts in 1907 and 1908. An important rule was added in 1906. It said the monument had to be built in Chippewa Square. This square belonged to the state.
A special team was put together to manage the project. In 1906, they chose Daniel Chester French to design the statue. He was a well-known sculptor. Henry Bacon, an architect, designed the large base for the statue. French and Bacon later worked together on the famous Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.. French wanted Oglethorpe to look like a military leader. He studied many pictures to make the statue accurate.
The project needed more money than expected. In 1909, the city of Savannah gave another $15,000. The patriotic groups also raised more funds. The total cost for the monument was $38,000. To make space for the new monument, two other statues were moved. These statues honored Confederate generals. They were moved to Forsyth Park in 1910.
The Big Unveiling Ceremony
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The monument was officially shown to the public on November 23, 1910. Before the unveiling, it was covered with the flags of Georgia and England. The ceremony was a huge event. Many important people attended, including the governors of Georgia and Alabama. Senators and representatives were also there. Thousands of people came to watch.
The ceremony included prayers and speeches. A representative from the British government even spoke. Then, Daniel Chester French and the project leader helped unveil the monument. They removed the flags, and everyone could see the statue for the first time.
The next day was Thanksgiving. To continue the celebration, a big football game was played. The Georgia Bulldogs played the Auburn Tigers near Chippewa Square. About 5,000 people watched the game. In 1957, a special sign was placed near the monument. This Georgia historical marker tells the story of the monument.
What the Monument Looks Like
The statue of Oglethorpe is made of bronze. It stands about 9 feet (2.7 meters) tall. Oglethorpe is shown wearing a military uniform from the 1700s. He has 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 shows how Oglethorpe defended the young colony from the Spanish, who were to the south.
The base of the statue is made of pink-gray marble. It looks like buildings from the Italian Renaissance style. The base sits on a large square platform. At each corner of this platform, there is a lion rampant. Each lion holds a shield. These shields show Oglethorpe's family symbol. They also show the official symbols of Georgia, the Georgia colony, and the city of Savannah. The base is also decorated with flower designs.
Part of the original document that created the Georgia colony is written on the monument. On the south side, there is another important message:
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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Historic image of the monument
See also
In Spanish: Monumento a James Oglethorpe para niños
- 1910 in art
- Public sculptures by Daniel Chester French
