Independent Man Statue
When lightning struck the dome of the Rhode Island State House, which was designed by McKim, Mead & White and completed in 1899, the massive Georgia marble blocks that supported the Independent Man, a 1,000-pound, gold-plated bronze sculpture of that stood atop the building as a proud symbol of the state, were damaged. It was determined that the sculpture had to be removed to allow for emergency repairs to the stonework. Independent Man had only been removed once before, in 1975.
Our team was engaged by the state to direct and oversee the safe removal of the sculpture. After careful study of the work, a plan was developed and implemented. Working with architects, engineers, and skilled masons, EverGreene ensured that the 14 foot tall sculpture was carefully rigged and hoisted off the State House dome and then hand carried into the building where it remained on display for approximately one month before being moved to a workshop for conservation and regilding.
Independent Man is expected to return to his perch Summer 2024.
