Statue of Richard Grosvenor, Second Marquess of Westminster facts for kids
The Statue of Richard Grosvenor, Second Marquess of Westminster stands in Grosvenor Park, Chester, Cheshire, England. This special statue was designed by an artist named Thomas Thornycroft. It was put up to remember how kind and generous the Marquess was. The statue was shown to the public in 1869. People paid for it by giving money together. Today, it is a protected building, known as a Grade II listed building, which means it's important to history.
Contents
Who Was Richard Grosvenor?
Richard Grosvenor, 2nd Marquess of Westminster (1795–1869) was an important person. He was a politician, which means he helped make decisions for the country. He also owned a lot of land. He was known for being a very kind person who helped others. He belonged to the Grosvenor family, and their main home was Eaton Hall near Chester.
Why Was the Statue Built?
Richard Grosvenor did something amazing for the city of Chester. He gave many fields near the city center. These fields became a public park for everyone to enjoy. It was a place where people could relax and have fun. He also paid for the park's design. A famous garden designer named Edward Kemp helped plan it. The park opened in October 1867.
The idea for a statue to remember Richard Grosvenor started in 1865. The Mayor of Chester thought it would be a great way to show how much the Marquess was liked. At first, they wanted to put the statue in a public square. People started giving money for it, but not much happened until the park was given to the city.
Then, the city council decided the statue should be placed in the new park. They asked Thomas Thornycroft to create it. They first planned to make the statue from bronze. But they changed their minds and decided to use marble instead. When it was made, people said it was the biggest sculpture carved from one piece of marble in Britain!
The statue was shown to the public on July 1, 1869. Richard Grosvenor and his wife were not there. People think he was too sick to come. His wife also did not want a big public event. The statue cost about £3,500. This was a lot of money back then! People had given £4,179 in total. The extra money was used to get a painting of the Marquess for the town hall.
What Does the Statue Look Like?
The statue is made of white marble. It stands on a base, called a pedestal, which is made of Derbyshire granite. The statue is very tall, much bigger than a real person. It is about 3.6 meters (11 feet 10 inches) high. The pedestal is also about the same height.
The statue stands right in the middle of Grosvenor Park. It is where the main paths cross. The Marquess is shown wearing special robes. These are the robes of the Order of the Garter, which is a very old and important group in England. He is not wearing a hat. One of his legs is slightly forward, as if he is about to take a step.
What Does the Inscription Say?
On the pedestal, there is writing that tells us more about Richard Grosvenor. It says:
- RICHARD
- SECOND MARQUIS OF WESTMINSTER
- K.G.
- THE GENEROUS LANDLORD
- THE FRIEND OF ALL THE DISTRESSED
- THE HELPER OF ALL GOOD WORKS
- THE BENEFACTOR TO THIS CITY
- ERECTED BY HIS TENANTS, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS
- A.D.1869
This inscription means he was a kind landlord, a friend to people in trouble, and someone who helped good things happen. It also says he was a great helper to the city of Chester. His tenants (people who rented land from him), friends, and neighbors put up the statue in 1869.
The statue was officially made a Grade II listed building on January 10, 1972. This means it is a building (or structure) of national importance. It has special historical interest. In 2012, people noted that the statue looked "quite severely weathered." This means the weather had worn it down a bit over time.
