Nathanael Greene Monument facts for kids
Historic American Buildings Survey picture of the monument
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| Location | Johnson Square, Savannah, Georgia, United States |
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| Designer | William Strickland |
| Material | Granite |
| Height | 50 feet (15 m) |
| Beginning date | March 21, 1825 |
| Completion date | 1830 |
| Dedicated to | Nathanael Greene |
The Nathanael Greene Monument is a public monument in Savannah, Georgia, United States. You can find it in Johnson Square. This monument was designed by William Strickland. It honors Nathanael Greene, who was a general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
The first stone for the monument was placed in 1825. However, it wasn't fully finished until 1830. At first, it honored both General Greene and another Continental Army general, Casimir Pulaski. In 1853, the monument became dedicated only to Greene. Later, two bronze plaques were added to the structure to tell more about him. In 1902, Greene's body was reburied right under the monument. In 2018, one of the bronze plaques was changed in a funny way with googly eyes. This made the monument famous across the country!
This monument is one of many in Savannah that honor important people from the American Revolution. Other monuments include the Casimir Pulaski Monument and the William Jasper Monument.
Contents
Discover the Monument's History
General Nathanael Greene's Early Life
Nathanael Greene was born in Rhode Island in 1742. He grew up as a pacifist Quaker. This means he believed in peace and avoiding war. But as the American Revolution began, he helped start a local army group, called a militia, in Rhode Island. He quickly became a brigadier general in the Continental Army.
During the later part of the war, General Greene fought in the southern colonies, including Georgia. Because of his brave actions, the government of Georgia gave him Mulberry Grove Plantation. This was a large farm taken from people who supported the British. In 1786, Greene County, Georgia was named after him. He passed away later that year at Mulberry Grove and was buried in Colonial Park Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia.
Laying the First Stone
On March 21, 1825, a very important person visited the United States. This was Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, a French hero of the American Revolution. During his visit to Savannah, he helped lay the first stones for two monuments. One was for General Greene, and the other was for American Revolutionary War hero Casimir Pulaski.
The cornerstone for Greene's monument was placed in Johnson Square. The ceremony included local Masonic lodges. At this event, Lafayette spoke about Greene. He said that Greene was a great and good man. He added that Greene's name reminded everyone of the good qualities of a patriot, a leader, and a soldier.
Completing the Monument
Fundraising to build these two monuments was tough at first. In November 1826, the Georgia General Assembly allowed a lottery to raise money. They hoped to get $35,000 for the monuments. Because it was hard to get enough money, the people in charge decided to build only one monument. This monument in Johnson Square would honor both Greene and Pulaski.
The Johnson Square monument was finished in 1830. It was designed by William Strickland. By 1853, enough money was raised to build a separate monument just for Pulaski. This one was placed in Monterey Square. After that, the monument in Johnson Square became known only as the Greene monument.
Around 1860, before the American Civil War, the monument was a place for celebrations. People celebrating the state leaving the United States gathered there. During these events, a large banner was hung on the monument. It showed a rattlesnake and the words "Don't Tread on Me." This was similar to the Gadsden flag.
In 1879, the city council of Savannah and the Georgia Historical Society worked together. They planned to add more details to the monument. They decided to add two bronze plaques. The city and the historical society shared the costs. These plaques were shown to the public on May 6, 1885. One plaque shared facts about Greene's life. The other had a bas-relief (a type of sculpture) of Greene. Jefferson Davis, who was once the President of the Confederate States, attended the ceremony. His father had fought under Greene during the Revolutionary War. Davis gave a speech praising Greene.
The Monument in the 20th Century and Beyond
For many years, people weren't sure exactly where Greene's grave was in Colonial Park Cemetery. But in 1901, his body was found in a vault there. The next year, on November 14, 1902, his body was reburied under the monument. His son, George Washington Greene, was also buried there. A newspaper article from 2014 said that both bodies were in the same vault. They were buried together because it was hard to tell them apart.
At the ceremony, the Savannah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution placed a bronze wreath right above where Greene's body was. The Governor of Rhode Island and the president of the Society of the Cincinnati also attended.
In 1953, the Georgia Historical Commission put up a Georgia historical marker near the monument. This marker gives information about both Greene and the monument itself. In 2012, a local garden club raised money to build a wrought iron fence around the monument.
In October 2018, the monument was changed in a funny way. Someone put googly eyes on the bas-relief of Greene. This event was reported by many national news sources. The local police department looked into the incident.
Monument Design and Features
The monument is a tall, 50-foot (15 m) granite shaft. In 1853, bronze plaques were added to two sides of the shaft. One plaque shows a bas-relief (a sculpted image) of Greene. The other plaque has words carved into it, which say:
Major General
Nathanael Greene
Born in Rhode Island 1742
Died in Georgia 1786
Soldier Patriot
The Friend Of Washington
This Shaft has been reared by the
People Of Savannah In Honor
Of His Great Services
to the American Revolution
See also
In Spanish: Monumento a Nathanael Greene para niños
