These Are My Jewels facts for kids
These Are My Jewels (also known as Ohio's Jewels) is a famous monument found outside the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio, United States. It was created by Levi Scofield between 1893 and 1894. The monument celebrates important leaders from Ohio who played a big part in the American Civil War.
Quick facts for kids These Are My Jewels |
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The monument in 2009
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| Artist | Levi Scofield |
| Year | 1894 |
| Medium | Bronze sculpture |
| Subject | |
| Location | Columbus, Ohio, United States |
| 39°57′42.5″N 82°59′59.0″W / 39.961806°N 82.999722°W | |
What is the "These Are My Jewels" Monument?
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This monument features eight life-size bronze statues. Seven of these statues are of important men from Ohio. They were leaders in the military and politics during the American Civil War.
The men honored are:
- Salmon P. Chase
- James A. Garfield
- Ulysses S. Grant
- Rutherford B. Hayes
- Philip Sheridan
- William Tecumseh Sherman
- Edwin Stanton
The eighth statue is of a Roman woman named Cornelia. She represents the state of Ohio.
The Story Behind the Name
The monument's name comes from an old Roman story about Cornelia. She was a wealthy mother. One day, her friends, who wore lots of expensive jewelry, asked her where her jewels were.
Cornelia left and came back with her sons. She proudly said, "These are my jewels!" This meant her children were more valuable than any gems.
In the monument, Cornelia (representing Ohio) is showing off her "jewels." These "jewels" are the great leaders from Ohio who helped the country during a difficult time.
The monument was designed by Levi Scofield. He is also known for creating the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in Cleveland.
How the Monument Was Made
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The idea for this group of statues came from General Roeliff Brinkerhoff. He was one of the people who started the Ohio History Connection.
General Brinkerhoff wanted a special display for the Ohio Pavilion. This was for the World's Columbian Exposition, a big world's fair held in Chicago in 1893.
After the fair ended, the monument was moved to Columbus. It found its permanent home outside the Ohio Statehouse.
When it was first made, the monument showed six Ohio leaders. However, William McKinley, who was then Ohio's governor and later became a U.S. President, wanted to add another statue. He pushed for a statue of Rutherford B. Hayes, who had been his commanding officer.
Adding Hayes meant the monument included three men who would become U.S. Presidents from Ohio. The monument was officially dedicated in 1894. It was rededicated on June 10, 1965, and again on November 5, 1992.
In 1993, the monument was studied by the Smithsonian Institution as part of a program to "Save Outdoor Sculpture!"
