Statue of Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben

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Major General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben
Baron von Steuben Memorial - Washington, D.C. - panoramio.jpg
ArtistAlbert Jaegers
Year1910
TypeBronze
LocationLafayette Park, Northwest, Washington, D.C.
OwnerNational Park Service
Statue of Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property
Statue of Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben is located in Washington, D.C.
Statue of Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben
LocationWashington, D.C.
Coordinates38°54′0″N 77°2′15.72″W / 38.90000°N 77.0377000°W / 38.90000; -77.0377000Coordinates: 38°54′0″N 77°2′15.72″W / 38.90000°N 77.0377000°W / 38.90000; -77.0377000
Arealess than one acre
Part ofAmerican Revolution Statuary.
NRHP reference No.78000256[1]
Added to NRHPJuly 14, 1978[2]

Major General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben is a bronze statue of Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, executed by sculptor Albert Jaegers.[3] It is erected in Lafayette Park in Washington, D.C.[3]

History[]

The statue was cast in 1909 and 1910 at a cost of $50,000.[3] It honors Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, the Baron von Steuben, a Prussian soldier who joined the Continental Army and instructed the American forces in Prussian military discipline and tactics, allowing them to gain skills necessary to challenge British forces.[3] Von Steuben became a naturalized American citizen after leaving the army in 1784 and received a land grant in New York.[3]

The statue was dedicated on December 7, 1910.[3][4]

Depiction[]

The bronze statue is of a standing Baron von Steuben in Continental Army uniform (with sash, boots, tricorn hat, and cape) looking into the distance while inspecting Continental Army soldiers in 1778. The statue sits atop a square pink granite base: the front and back feature ornament reliefs, and the left and right have figures in bronze.[3] The base is flanked by two sets of allegorical figures: one to the southwest and the other to the northeast.[3] The figures on the northeast side are two male figures symbolizing military instruction and the figures on the southwestern side are two female figures symbolizing commemoration.[3]

Inscription[]

The front of the base has the following inscription (topped by an American eagle):[3]

ERECTED.BY.THE.CONGRESS/OF.THE.VNITED.STATES. TO/FREDERICK.WILLIAM.AVGVSTVS.HENRY.FERDINAND/BARON.VON.STEVBEN/IN.GRATEFVL .RECOGNITION .OF.HIS/SERVICES/TO/THE/AMERICAN.PEOPLE/IN.THEIR.STRVGGLE.FOR.LIBERTY/BORN.IN PRVSSIA/SEPTEMBER 17, 1730/DIED.IN.NEW.YORK./NOVEMBER 28, 1794/AFTER.SERVING.AS AIDE./DE.CAMP.TO.FREDERICK/THE.GREAT.OF PRVSSIA/HE.OFFERED.HIS.SWORD/TO.THE.AMERICAN.COLONIES.AND WAS APPOINT/ED.MAJOR.GENERAL AND/INSPECTOR GENERAL IN/THE CONTINENTAL ARMY/HE GAVE MILITARY.TRAIN-/ING.AND.DISCIPLINE.TO/THE.CITIZEN.SOLDIERS/WHO.ACHIEVED.THE.IN-/DEPENDENCE.OF.THE/VNITED.STATES. ./M.C.M.X

The rear of the base contains profiles in relief of von Steuben's aides-de-camp, Colonel William North and Major Benjamin Walker, and the following inscription:[3]

COLONEL.WILLIAM.NORTH/.MAJOR.BENJAMIN.WALKER/.AIDES.AND.FRIENDS/OF.GENERA.VON.STEVBEN

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ "American Revolution Statuary". National Park Service. July 14, 1978. Archived from the original on February 20, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Major General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, (sculpture)". Inventory of American Sculpture, Smithsonian Institution Research Information System. Smithsonian American Art Museum. IAS DC000216.
  4. ^ "Honor Steuben Today." Washington Post (December 7, 1910).

External links[]

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