View source for Statue of Christopher Columbus (Johnston, Rhode Island)

{{Short description|Sculpture by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = ''Columbus''
| nrhp_type =
| image = Christopher Columbus Statue.jpg
| caption =
| location = [[Johnston, Rhode Island]]
| coordinates = {{coord|41|49|37.28|N|71|30|26.1|W|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin = Rhode Island#USA
| area =
| built = 1893
| architect = Frederic Auguste Bartholdi
| architecture =
| added = October 19, 2001
| mpsub = Outdoor Sculpture of Rhode Island
| refnum = 01000468<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2007a}}</ref>
| nrhp_type2 = cp
| nocat = yes
| designated_nrhp_type2 = January 7, 1980
| partof = [[Elmwood Historic District]]
| partof_refnum = 80004603
}}
'''''Columbus''''' is a historic statue in [[Johnston, Rhode Island]]. The statue is a bronze cast of a sterling silver statue which was created by Rhode Island's [[Gorham Manufacturing Company]] for the 1892 [[World's Columbian Exposition]] in [[Chicago]]. The original silver statue was not meant for permanent exhibition, but rather as a demonstration of the skills of the Gorham Company, and was later melted down. The bronze cast was dedicated on November 8, 1893, in [[Columbus Square (Providence)|Columbus Square]], in [[Providence, Rhode Island]], United States as a gift from the Elmwood Association to the City of Providence.
The bronze statue was created in 1893 by [[Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi]] and added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 2001. It was removed from Columbus Square in 2020 by the City of Providence and reinstalled in the nearby town of [[Johnston, Rhode Island|Johnston]] in 2023.
== History ==
===Columbian Exposition===
Cast in 1893, the statue of Columbus was produced by the [[Gorham Manufacturing Company]] who commissioned master sculptor, [[Auguste Bartholdi]]. The bronze statue is a cast of the original made of sterling silver, which was commissioned for the 1892 [[Columbian Exposition]] in [[Chicago, Illinois]]. For the upcoming exposition, Gorham wanted a demonstration piece to show the skill of its foundry and commissioned Bartholdi to create a statue of Columbus. The completed model was shipped across the Atlantic Ocean to be cast from 30,000 ounces of silver at [[Providence, Rhode Island]]. The casting was a ceremonial affair, where guests "were feted as they watched the process".<ref name=nom /> Gorham officials accompanied and shipped the statue to Chicago via rail. It served as a demonstration piece at the exposition, showcasing the skill of its foundry in the technically difficult task of casting a work in sterling silver. After the exposition, the statue was returned to Providence where it was melted down: a silver statue was impractical as a permanent outdoor sculpture and the piece had already served its celebratory and advertisement purpose.<ref name=nom />
===Bronze replica===
In 1893, a bronze replica of ''Columbus'' was cast by the Gorham company and gifted to the City of Providence by the Elmwood Association, a civic group from a neighborhood near Gorham. It is known that Bartholdi visited [[Newport, Rhode Island]] in 1893, but it is unknown if he was involved in the production of the bronze cast. The statue was dedicated on November 8, 1893, at 2:30&nbsp;p.m.<ref name=nom /><ref name="paper">{{cite web | url=https://repository.library.brown.edu/studio/item/bdr:318514/ | title=Dedication of the Bartholdi statue of Columbus | publisher=Library.Brown.edu | access-date=July 27, 2014}}</ref> Professor Alonzo Williams was the presenter of the statue to the city and Mayor Potter acted as "response on behalf the city". Music was provided by the Reeves American Band and the song "Columbus" was performed. The oration was given by Reverend H. W. Rugg and a chorus of children lead the crowd in singing "[[My Country, 'Tis of Thee]]".<ref name=paper />{{#tag:ref|The ''New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial'' lists Professor Alonzo Williams as the orator, but his role as "Presenter to the city" may have been an editorial slip of otherwise precise wording. Williams had a speaking role as the presenter, but was not credited as giving the oration as specifically defined in the dedication pamphlet.<ref name=paper /><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_c4UAAAAYAAJ&q=Columbus+1893+providence&pg=PA981 | title=New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of Commonwealths and the Founding of a Nation, Volume 2 (Google eBook) | publisher=Lewis Historical Publishing Company | author=Cutter, William Richard | year=1914 | pages=980}}</ref> |group=notes}} The site of the statue was originally deeded to the Town of Cranston by Joseph Cooke on May 24, 1824. The Town of Cranston deeded it to Providence in 1868 and renamed it Columbus Park in 1893.<ref>{{cite book | title=Financial Report of the City of Providence, Rhode Island, Parts 29-164 | publisher=Providence (R.I.) Office of City Controller | year=1917 | pages=132}}</ref>
===Reactions===
{{Multiple image
| header = Columbus over the years
| align = right
| direction =
| total_width = 260
| perrow = 1/1/1
| image1= Providence RI; Columbus Park, Reservoir and Elmwood Avenues.jpg
| caption1 = Columbus Square in Providence, ca 1920
| image2= Former site of Bartholdi's Columbus.jpg
| caption2 = Columbus Square after removal in 2020
| image3 = Christopher Columbus statue in Johnston Rhode Island.jpg
| caption3 = Relocated to [[Johnston, Rhode Island|Johnston]] in 2023
}}
The statue was sometimes a focal point for [[Columbus Day]] ceremonies and speeches. One such event in 1939 was attended by the mayor, alderman, and council members.<ref>{{cite news |title=PHOTOS: R.I. Columbus Day parades – a look back |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/photogallery/PJ/20181004/NEWS/100409998/PH/1 |access-date=November 3, 2019 |publisher=The Providence Journal |date=October 4, 2018}}</ref>
In 2010, the statue was defaced on [[Columbus Day]] with red paint and a sign reading "murderer" hanging from its waist.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hilario|first1=Mario|title=Columbus statue vandalized with red paint|url=http://www.turnto10.com/story/21106515/columbus-statue-vandalized-with-red-paint|access-date=March 24, 2015|agency=Turn to 10|publisher=Channel 10 News|date=October 11, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2010/10/12/columbus_statue_in_providence_defaced_on_holiday/ | title=Columbus statue in Providence defaced on holiday | publisher=Boston.com | date=October 12, 2010 | access-date=May 7, 2014}}</ref> The statue was again vandalized with paint in 2015 and 2017, raising questions in the media as to the appropriateness of honoring Columbus with a public statue.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hill|first1=John|title=Is there a place for Christopher Columbus?|url=http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20171010/is-there-place-for-christopher-columbus|access-date=October 11, 2017|agency=The Providence Journal|date=October 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011134050/http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20171010/is-there-place-for-christopher-columbus|archive-date=October 11, 2017|quote=the statue also had to be cleaned after Columbus Day incidents in 2010 and 2015.}}</ref>
In October 2019, the statue was splashed with red paint, and a sign reading "stop celebrating genocide" was leaned against the pedestal, again prompting local controversy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gregg |first1=Katherine |title=Christopher Columbus statue in Providence vandalized |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20191014/christopher-columbus-statue-in-providence-vandalized |access-date=November 3, 2019 |publisher=The Providence Journal |date=October 14, 2019}}</ref> Providence councilwoman [[Kat Kerwin|Katherine Kerwin]] of Ward 12 defended the actions on a local radio program hosted by RI WJAR anchor Gene Valicenti, prompting backlash and national news media attention.<ref>{{cite news |last1=List |first1=Madeline |title=On Columbus statue controversy, Providence councilwoman says: 'My constituents are with me' |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20191102/on-columbus-statue-controversy-providence-councilwoman-says-my-constituents-are-with-me |access-date=November 3, 2019 |publisher=The Providence Journal |date=November 2, 2019}}</ref> Mayor [[Jorge Elorza]] stated that he would consider moving the statue, though did not commit to where. Some of Rhode Island's Italian American community were pushing for a move from [[Elmwood, Providence, Rhode Island|Elmwood]] to the [[Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Federal Hill]] neighborhood, which has historically been the center of Providence's [[Italian Americans|Italian American]] community.<ref>{{cite news |title=Elorza says he'd consider moving Columbus statue |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20191015/elorza-says-hed-consider-moving-columbus-statue |access-date=November 3, 2019 |publisher=The Providence Journal |date=October 15, 2019}}</ref>
===Relocation===
In June 2020, on the order of mayor [[Jorge Elorza]], the statue was removed from Columbus Square as the city had been dispatching police officers to watch the statue due to vandalism.<ref name="ProJoRemoval" /> The order was given during a time of [[List of monuments and memorials removed during the George Floyd protests|statue removals across the United States]] in the wake of the [[George Floyd protests]].<ref name="ProJoRemoval" /> During the removal, dozens of people from the neighborhood gathered to cheer.<ref name="ProJoRemoval" /> The city did not disclose where the statue would be stored, nor what its fate would be.<ref name="ProJoRemoval">{{cite news |last1=Amaral |first1=Brian|last2=List |first2=Madeline |title=Providence removes statue of Christopher Columbus, its fate unclear |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20200625/providence-removes-statue-of-christopher-columbus-its-fate-unclear |access-date=June 28, 2020 |publisher=The Providence Journal |date=June 25, 2020}}</ref>
A special committee recommended in 2021 that the statue be removed permanently, appraised, and possibly offered for sale with the funds being devoted to amenities and beautification of Columbus Square/Reservoir Triangle.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 16, 2021 |title=Providence Special Committee Recommends Removal and Sale of Controversial Columbus Statue |url=https://upriseri.com/commemorative-works-committee-recommends-permanent-removal-of-columbus-statue/ |access-date=October 5, 2023 |website=[[Uprise RI]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2023, Former Providence Mayor Joe Paolino purchased the statue for $50,000 and donated the statue to [[Johnston, Rhode Island]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Doiron |first1=Sarah |date=May 11, 2023 |title=Controversial Columbus statue to be placed in Johnston park |url=https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/northwest/controversial-columbus-statue-to-be-placed-in-johnston-park/ |access-date=August 21, 2023 |work=WPRI}}</ref> The statue was placed in Johnston Memorial Park, with the unveiling held on [[Columbus Day]] 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |last=LeBlanc |first=Steve |date=October 5, 2023 |title=Columbus statue, removed from a square in Providence, Rhode Island, re-emerges in nearby town |url=https://apnews.com/article/christopher-columbus-statue-rhode-island-genocide-indigenous-f5f47581930b8c07658aecfaa0fd6cd5 |access-date=October 5, 2023 |work=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Caracciolo |first=Gabrielle |date=October 9, 2023 |title=Johnston unveils Christopher Columbus statue in War Memorial Park |url=https://turnto10.com/news/local/columbus-statue-to-be-unveiled-in-johnston-moved-from-providences-columbus-square-red-paint-oct-9-2023 |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=WJAR NBC 10 News |language=en}}</ref>
== Design ==
The bronze cast depicts a {{convert|6.6|ft|m}} high by {{convert|4.5|ft|m}} wide and deep, "larger-than-life size" standing figure of Christopher Columbus atop a {{convert|5.25|ft|m}} by {{convert|5.33|ft|m}} plain square base of grey [[Westerly, Rhode Island]] granite.<ref name=nom /> The National Historic Register of Places nomination describes the statue: "The explorer is caught in mid-stride, his left foot stepping off the base. In his left hand he holds a globe; his right arm is raised, his index finger pointing, as if giving an order or sighting land. Columbus wears a short tunic; a wide belt wraps the waist; a second belt across the hip holds a sword. A short
full cloak billows out around the figure, and he wears a brimmed hat. There is a coil of line at his feet."<ref name=nom /> The square base is inscribed with "Columbus" on the front, "1492" on the right side and "1893" on the left side.<ref name=nom />
At the time of the nomination, the statue was reported to be in good overall condition, but had some very small cracks in the figure and the tail ends of the bronze [[Festoon|swag]] were missing. The base was also in good condition with only  some chipping on the lower edge of the base being noted in the nomination.<ref name=nom />
== Importance ==
The National Register of Historic Places nomination lists the ''Columbus'' statue under both criteria A and C.<ref name="nom">{{cite web | url=http://www.preservation.ri.gov/pdfs_zips_downloads/national_pdfs/providence/prov_elmwood-avenue_columbus-monument.pdf | title=National Register of Historic Places Registration Form – Columbus | publisher=National Park Service | date=1999 | access-date=May 7, 2014 | author=Onorato, Ronald J}}</ref> Criterion A requires that the property must make a contribution to the major pattern of American history, and criterion C concerns the distinctive characteristics of its architecture and construction, including having great artistic value or being the work of a master. The basis for meeting criterion A is that the work is an example of the Gorham Manufacturing Company's large statue. ''Columbus'' was listed under criterion C as an example of Auguste Bartholdi's work.<ref name=nom /> The statue has not been moved from its original location, but the "significance of the work is not dependent upon its setting but is encompassed within the object itself."<ref name=nom /> ''Columbus'' was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] on  October 19, 2001.<ref name=nom />
Though it is a bronze cast copy of the original silver work, the sculpture itself was declared a masterpiece because "[l]ife and vigor are implied in every line and feature, and the general effect is one of great beauty."<ref name="ebook">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mxUhAQAAMAAJ&q=barthodi+columbus+statue&pg=PA332 | title=Inland Printer, American Lithographer, Volume 11 (Google Ebook) | publisher=Front Cover Maclean-Hunter Publishing Company | date=1893 | access-date=August 2, 2014 | pages=332}}</ref> In relation to the original silver cast, James Wilson Pierce declared it as an exemplary work of art that surpasses all other Christopher Columbus sculptures in the United States.<ref name="sketch">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=guZNAAAAMAAJ&q=Bartholdi+columbus | title=Photographic History of the World's Fair and Sketch of the City of Chicago: Also a Guide to the World's Fair and Chicago | publisher=R. H. Woodward | date=1893 | access-date=August 2, 2014 | author=Pierce, James Wilson | pages=378}}</ref>
==See also==
{{commons category|Christopher Columbus by Bartholdi}}
* [[List of monuments and memorials to Christopher Columbus]]
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Providence, Rhode Island]]
==Notes==
{{reflist|group=notes}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi}}
{{Monuments and memorials removed during the George Floyd protests}}
{{Registered Historic Places}}
[[Category:1893 establishments in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:1893 sculptures]]
[[Category:Bronze sculptures in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Providence, Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Historic district contributing properties in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Italian-American culture in Providence, Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Sculptures of maps]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials on the National Register of Historic Places in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in the United States removed during the George Floyd protests]]
[[Category:Relocated buildings and structures in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Providence, Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Outdoor sculptures in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Sculptures by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi]]
[[Category:Sculptures of men in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Statues in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Statues of Christopher Columbus|Providence, Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Vandalized works of art in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Statues removed in 2020]]
[[Category:World's Columbian Exposition]]
[[Category:World's fair sculptures]]