This little statue to a prominent Washington attorney by a prominent sculptor caused quite a stir when it was unveiled. There is very little written about the inception of this memorial, but it only took 3 years to erect — practically a record in terms of memorial placement.
Author: dcmemorialist
DC Memorialist is run by Fiona Clem, a local historian, licensed DC tour guide, member of the Washington Guild of Professional Tour Guides, and author of Meridian Hill Park, Images of America.
Sarah Louise Rittenhouse
Statue: Sarah Louise Rittenhouse SundialLocation: Montrose Park, R Street near 31st, NW (Georgetown)Dedication: November 9, 1956Cost: Donated. Funds raised by Georgetown Garden Club At the entrance to Montrose Park there is a statue with a sundial placed in tribute to Sarah Louise Rittenhouse. The sundial was dedicated on November 9, 1956. Montrose Park and the…
Geo Washington Statue at the National Cathedral
Statue: George Washington Equestrian Statue Location: At the entrance to the Olmsted Woods Walk; at the bottom of the Pilgrim Steps Sculptor: Herbert HaseltineUnveiling: February 22, 1959 Cost: Gift. Donated by James Sheldon On the anniversary of his birthday, George Washington was honored at the National Cathedral with the dedication of an equestrian statue. The…
John Barry
Statue: John Barry (March 25, 1745 – September 13, 1803) Location: 14th Street, NW, Franklin Square Park (west side) Sculptor: John J. Boyle, New York Unveiling: May 16, 1914 Cost to taxpayers: $50,000 The idea of erecting a statue of Commodore Barry was first suggested by Archbishop Ireland (his name) during a banquet of the…
William Blackstone
Statue: Sir William Blackstone, English jurist (10 July 1723 – 14 February 1780) Location: 3rd and Pennsylvania, NW Sculptor: Paul Wayland Bartlett Unveiling: 1943, Cast in bronze: 1926 Dedication: none Cost to taxpayers: $10,000, ABA members raised $50,000 for the statue The statue of Sir William Blackstone is tucked in between the E. Barrett Prettyman…
Joan of Arc
Statue: Joan of Arc (Jeanne D’Arc, French) Location: Meridian Hill Park Sculptor: Paul Dubois, French Dedication: January 6, 1922 Cost: $0, gift of the Femmes de France of New York The only equestrian statue of a women in the nation’s Capital, the Joan of Arc statue was given to the United States by a group…
Free Walking Tour, January 20
Mark this historic inauguration week by joining us for a free, 90-minute walking tour, “From Slavery to Freedom in Adams Morgan,” on Sunday, January 20th at 1:00pm. starting at the Sun Trust Bank Plaza at 18th Street and Columbia Road, N.W., Washington, D.C. Our starting point at 18th Street and Columbia Road is about an…
John Paul Jones
Statue: John Paul Jones (July 6, 1747 – July 18, 1792) Location: 17th Street and Independence Avenue, NW (Potomac Park) Sculptor: Charles Niehaus, New York Architects: Carrere & Hastings Unveiling: 3:00 p.m., April 17, 1912 Cost: $50,000 John Paul Jones was a Scottish sailor and the United States’ first well-known naval fighter in the American…