Liberty Arming the Patriot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Liberty Arming the Patriot
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 Location in Rhode Island
Location in the United States
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| Location | Pawtucket, Rhode Island |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1897 |
| Architect | W. Granville Hastings |
| MPS | Outdoor Sculpture of Rhode Island |
| NRHP reference No. | 01000467 |
| Added to NRHP | October 19, 2001 |
Liberty Arming the Patriot, sometimes called Freedom Arming the Patriot, is a cool bronze statue in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. It remembers the people from Pawtucket who fought in the American Civil War. William Granville Hastings designed it, and the Gorham Manufacturing Company made it in 1897.
Unlike many war memorials, this one shows action! It features a young farmer putting down his plow. He is reaching to take a sword from a strong female figure. This figure represents Liberty. The statue is about 11 feet (3.4 meters) tall. It stands on a granite base that is 10 feet (3 meters) high and 22 feet (6.7 meters) wide. The sculpture was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.
Contents
The Story Behind the Statue
How the Statue Was Made
The Ladies' Soldiers' Memorial Association of Pawtucket, Rhode Island asked for this sculpture. They wanted to honor everyone who served in the American Civil War. It took 11 years to raise enough money! People gave donations and held fun events to collect funds. The monument cost about $12,000 or $13,000. William Granville Hastings won a contest to be the sculptor. The Gorham Manufacturing Company then cast the sculpture.
What the Statue Shows
The main part of the monument shows a young man leaving his everyday life to serve his country. It captures the exact moment a farmer decides to become a soldier. His left hand is still on the plow handle. With his right hand, he takes a sword from the figure of Liberty.
The farmer wears realistic work clothes. He has a shirt with rolled sleeves and work trousers tucked into his boots. Liberty stands just above him. You can tell she is Liberty by her Phrygian cap (a special hat). She wears classical robes, a breastplate, sandals, and a cloak. Her face looks calm as she gives the sword to the farmer with her left hand. In her right hand, she holds a pike.
Beneath the farmer and Liberty, there is a bronze plaque. It shows a Union army artillery group. They are led by General Ambrose Burnside capturing a bridge. This scene is from the Battle of Antietam. On the sides, two smaller plaques show female figures. These figures represent History and Eternity. The Scribe of History is writing on a tablet. Eternity is shown thinking deeply and is identified by a fern.
The monument was officially dedicated on May 31, 1897. The ceremony was led by the Grand Army of the Republic. The Governor of Rhode Island, Elisha Dyer, Jr., gave a speech.
Why This Statue is Important
The Liberty Arming the Patriot statue is important for a few reasons. It is a great example of the art style used for statues in the early 1900s. It also shows the amazing quality of its design. The statue is also important because it was made by the Gorham Manufacturing Company. This company was famous in Rhode Island for making high-quality silver and bronze statues.
Even though it's a memorial, the statue is special. It shows the main way Pawtucket chose to honor its Civil War soldiers. The sculpture was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.
Inscription
The base of the monument has a special message carved into it. It reads:
In Grateful Recognition Of The Valiant And Self-Sacrificing Service To Their Country Of All Persons Who Went From Pawtucket And Its Vicinity To Join The Forces Of The United States During The Civil War. And Especially To The Memory Of Those Who Suffered And Died In That Service. This Monument Is Erected By The Ladies Soldiers Memorial Association Of Pawtucket, Rhode Island And By Them Is Consecrated As An Everlasting Memorial · Anno Domini 1897
See also
In Spanish: Libertad armando al patriota para niños
