Statues of Christopher Columbus
Focusing on Details: Compare and Contrast
All documents and text associated with this activity are printed below, followed by a worksheet for student responses.Introduction
Dozens of municipalities, two state capitals (South Carolina and Ohio), a Federal holiday and our nation's capital (the District of Columbia) have all been named after Christopher Columbus. In addition to these place names and holidays, there are many statues, monuments, and memorials to Christopher Columbus all around the country. In this activity, you will be comparing and contrasting some monuments to this important historical figure.
For each image, consider the following:
- What do you see?
- What do you think it represents?
- How does it physically or symbolically depict Christopher Columbus?
- What aspects and qualities does it appear to emphasize in its depiction?
Name:
Class:
Class:
Worksheet
Statues of Christopher Columbus
Focusing on Details: Compare and Contrast
Examine the documents included in this activity and write your response in the space provided.
Your Response
1
Activity Element
Columbus Statue, Providence, RI
2
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Columbus Fountain, Washington, DC
3
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Christopher Columbus Monument, Pueblo, CO
4
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Statue of Christopher Columbus, Chicago, IL
Conclusion
Statues of Christopher Columbus
Focusing on Details: Compare and Contrast
Though celebrated centuries after his death, in recent years Christopher Columbus's reputation has diminished. Once honored as an enterprising explorer who completed a remarkable journey, many now view him as a cruel colonial administrator who symbolizes colonization and indigenous genocide. In fact, all four of the statues discussed in this activity have been vandalized and/or removed by protestors or by the local government.- Do you think that all statues of Christopher Columbus should be removed? Do you think they they all should remain? Or should it be a case-by-case situation?
- Who should make the decision for statues to remain or be removed? How should these decisions be made?
- If you were to create a statue, monument, or memorial in that same place to replace a statue of Christopher Columbus, what would it be? Why?
Your Response
Document
Columbus Statue, Providence, RI
1893 (photograph 1999)
This statue of Christopher Columbus by August Bartholdi was unveiled in 1893 in Providence, Rhode Island. Standing nearly seven feet high, this bronze statue was located in the center of a tiny park in a busy intersection in the south side of the city. The explorer appears with his right hand pointing while his left hand holds a globe. The base is inscribed with COLUMBUS, 1492, and 1893.
Created by Bartholdi, more famously known for the Statue of Liberty, this bronze statue was a copy of temporary silver statue originally produced for the famous Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Throughout the early 21st century, the Columbus statue was a repeated subject of vandalism by protesters against honoring Christopher Columbus.
In 2020, following the national dialogue on statues and monuments initially brought about by the protests against police brutality and racism in policing, the mayor of Providence ordered the removal of the statue. It was removed from Columbus Square on June 25, 2020.
This photo and description of the Columbus Statue in Providence, RI are part of materials from the Columbus registration form for the National Register of Historic Places.
Created by Bartholdi, more famously known for the Statue of Liberty, this bronze statue was a copy of temporary silver statue originally produced for the famous Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Throughout the early 21st century, the Columbus statue was a repeated subject of vandalism by protesters against honoring Christopher Columbus.
In 2020, following the national dialogue on statues and monuments initially brought about by the protests against police brutality and racism in policing, the mayor of Providence ordered the removal of the statue. It was removed from Columbus Square on June 25, 2020.
This photo and description of the Columbus Statue in Providence, RI are part of materials from the Columbus registration form for the National Register of Historic Places.
This primary source comes from the Records of the National Park Service, 1785 - 2006.
National Archives Identifier: 41374558
Full Citation: Columbus Statue, Providence, RI; 1893 (photograph 1999); National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records: Rhode Island; National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records; Records of the National Park Service, 1785 - 2006, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/columbus-statue-providence-ri, September 8, 2024]Columbus Statue, Providence, RI
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Document
Columbus Fountain, Washington, DC
1912 (Photographs 2004)
The Columbus Fountain by Lorado Taft (sculptor) and Daniel H. Bumam (architect) was erected in 1912 in front of Union Station in Washington, DC.
The center of the fountain is a 45 foot tall pier with a globe encircled by four eagles. A fifteen foot tall statue of Christopher Columbus stands on the bow of a ship. Two male figures crouch below Columbus--a bearded figure representing the Old World and a Native American representing the New World.
Inscribed on the rear of the pier is the following:
To The Memory Of
Christopher Columbus
Whose High Faith
And
Indomitable Courage
Gave To Mankind
A New World
Born MCDXXXVI
Died MDIV
This photo and description of the Columbus Fountain in Washington, DC are part of materials from the Union Station Plaza and Columbus Fountain nomination form for the National Register of Historic Places.
The center of the fountain is a 45 foot tall pier with a globe encircled by four eagles. A fifteen foot tall statue of Christopher Columbus stands on the bow of a ship. Two male figures crouch below Columbus--a bearded figure representing the Old World and a Native American representing the New World.
Inscribed on the rear of the pier is the following:
To The Memory Of
Christopher Columbus
Whose High Faith
And
Indomitable Courage
Gave To Mankind
A New World
Born MCDXXXVI
Died MDIV
This photo and description of the Columbus Fountain in Washington, DC are part of materials from the Union Station Plaza and Columbus Fountain nomination form for the National Register of Historic Places.
This primary source comes from the Records of the National Park Service.
National Archives Identifier: 117691755
Full Citation: Columbus Fountain, Washington, DC; 1912 (Photographs 2004); National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records: Washington, DC; National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records, 2013 - 2017; Records of the National Park Service, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/columbus-fountain-washington-dc, September 8, 2024]Columbus Fountain, Washington, DC
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Columbus Fountain, Washington, DC
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Document
Christopher Columbus Monument, Pueblo, CO
1905 (Photographs 2011)
The Christopher Columbus Monument by Pietro Piai (sculptor) and Genest & Markert (contractor) was unveiled in 1905 in Pueblo, Colorado. Standing nearly 20 feet tall, the highlight is a 5 foot bust of the famous explorer in fifteenth century Italian dress. In addition, inscriptions in Italian (1905) and English (added later) describing Christopher Columbus, a crest featuring an eagle grasping a crossed shield, and globes of the western and eastern hemisphere ornament the pedestal.
In July 2020, following a series of national protests against police brutality and racism in policing, protests to remove statues of Confederate figures and other controversial historical figures (including Christopher Columbus) occurred across the country. In August 2020, the city of Pueblo hired a mediator to attempt to reach an agreement between sides in favor and against removing the statue. In October 2020, the statue in Pueblo, Colorado was vandalized with red paint.
This photo and description of the Christopher Columbus Monument in Pueblo, CO are part of materials from its nomination form for the National Register of Historic Places.
In July 2020, following a series of national protests against police brutality and racism in policing, protests to remove statues of Confederate figures and other controversial historical figures (including Christopher Columbus) occurred across the country. In August 2020, the city of Pueblo hired a mediator to attempt to reach an agreement between sides in favor and against removing the statue. In October 2020, the statue in Pueblo, Colorado was vandalized with red paint.
This photo and description of the Christopher Columbus Monument in Pueblo, CO are part of materials from its nomination form for the National Register of Historic Places.
This primary source comes from the Records of the National Park Service.
National Archives Identifier: 84132677
Full Citation: Christopher Columbus Monument, Pueblo, CO; 1905 (Photographs 2011); National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records: Colorado; National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records, 2013 - 2017; Records of the National Park Service, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/christopher-columbus-monument-pueblo-co, September 8, 2024]Christopher Columbus Monument, Pueblo, CO
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Christopher Columbus Monument, Pueblo, CO
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Christopher Columbus Monument, Pueblo, CO
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Christopher Columbus Monument, Pueblo, CO
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Christopher Columbus Monument, Pueblo, CO
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Christopher Columbus Monument, Pueblo, CO
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Christopher Columbus Monument, Pueblo, CO
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Christopher Columbus Monument, Pueblo, CO
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Christopher Columbus Monument, Pueblo, CO
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Document
Statue of Christopher Columbus, Chicago, IL
1933 (photograph 1989)
This statue of Christopher Columbus by Carl Brioschi was dedicated in 1933 in Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois. Columbus stands looking in the distance with a scroll in his right hand. Carved into pedestal are images of Columbus's ship the Santa Maria, Paolo Toscanelli, Amerigo Vespucci, and the Seal of the City of Genoa (Columbus' birthplace). Also included on the corners of the pedestal are allegorical figures representing faith, courage, freedom, and strength.
In June 2020, during a series of national protests against police brutality and racism in policing, the statue was vandalized by protesters. Following a clash between protesters and police where the former had attempted to pull down the statue, the mayor of Chicago ordered the removal of the statue. It was removed from Grant Park on July 24, 2020. The Mayor of Chicago created a committee to evaluate monuments and statues across the city that had been a focal point of these protests. In February 2021, the Chicago Monuments Project released their report and selected Christopher Columbus Monument as one of 41 monuments that warranted a public discussion because it promoted narratives of white supremacy, presented an over-simplified view of history, presented a demeaning characterization of American Indians, memorialized individuals with connections to racist acts (including slavery and genocide) or created tension between people who see value in these artworks and those who do not.
This photo and description of the Columbus Statue in Chicago, IL are part of materials from the Grant Park registration form for the National Register of Historic Places.
In June 2020, during a series of national protests against police brutality and racism in policing, the statue was vandalized by protesters. Following a clash between protesters and police where the former had attempted to pull down the statue, the mayor of Chicago ordered the removal of the statue. It was removed from Grant Park on July 24, 2020. The Mayor of Chicago created a committee to evaluate monuments and statues across the city that had been a focal point of these protests. In February 2021, the Chicago Monuments Project released their report and selected Christopher Columbus Monument as one of 41 monuments that warranted a public discussion because it promoted narratives of white supremacy, presented an over-simplified view of history, presented a demeaning characterization of American Indians, memorialized individuals with connections to racist acts (including slavery and genocide) or created tension between people who see value in these artworks and those who do not.
This photo and description of the Columbus Statue in Chicago, IL are part of materials from the Grant Park registration form for the National Register of Historic Places.
This primary source comes from the Records of the National Park Service, 1785 - 2006.
National Archives Identifier: 28890938
Full Citation: Statue of Christopher Columbus, Chicago, IL; 1933 (photograph 1989); National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records: Illinois; National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records; Records of the National Park Service, 1785 - 2006, ; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/statue-of-christopher-columbus-chicago-il, September 8, 2024]Statue of Christopher Columbus, Chicago, IL
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