Columbus Statue, Providence, RI
1893 (photograph 1999)
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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, Record Group 79; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/columbus-statue-providence-ri, October 12, 2024]Activities that use this document
- Debating Monuments, Memorials and Statues
Created by the National Archives Education Team - National Holidays Matching
Created by the National Archives Education Team - Statues of Christopher Columbus
Created by the National Archives Education Team
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