Statue of Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben
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]
| Major General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Albert Jaegers |
| Year | 1910 |
| Type | Bronze |
| Location | Lafayette Park, Northwest, Washington, D.C. |
| Owner | National Park Service |
Statue of Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben | |
  | |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Coordinates | 38°54′0″N 77°2′15.72″W |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Part of | American Revolution Statuary. |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000256[1] |
| Added to NRHP | July 14, 1978[2] |
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]
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
References
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- "American Revolution Statuary". National Park Service. July 14, 1978. Archived from the original on February 20, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
- "Major General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, (sculpture)". Inventory of American Sculpture, Smithsonian Institution Research Information System. Smithsonian American Art Museum. IAS DC000216.
- "Honor Steuben Today." Washington Post (December 7, 1910).
External links
