Who’s That Dead White Guy on a Horse? And Other Pressing Questions About D.C.’s Statues
The equestrian statue of Gen. Nathanael Greene in D.C.’s Stanton Park toppled from its base in 1930. (It’s since been righted.)
D.C. is brimming with marble and bronze likenesses. You can hardly turn a corner without being met by the solemn face of a statue.
As the nation’s capital, our public spaces hold the special honor (and at times, burden) of commemorating historical figures. But have you ever wondered what made these individuals noteworthy and why someone thought they were significant? When was their significance decided upon, and who made the decision to honor them? And finally, what rights do D.C. residents have in terms of statue selection and placement?
In this class, we’ll discuss several local sculptures from artistic, historic, and political perspectives. Afterwards, you’ll be ready to impress friends with trivia at your next picnic in a D.C. park, and to protest controversial statues, like that of Albert Pike, a prominent member of the Ku Klux Klan. (Yes, that exists here in D.C.)
This class is presented in partnership with DC Public Library.
Location
Southeast Neighborhood Library
403 Seventh St. SE
Washington,
DC
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Across the street from the Eastern Market Metro
Past event
Instructors
Jasmine Utsey coordinates public programs at the National Museum of Natural History. She and co-teacher Jessica Unger met while earning their master’s degrees at Brown University. Jasmine thinks “J” and “U” are the coolest initials out there.
Jess Unger is a public historian who spends her days at the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation, helping museums, archives, and libraries connect with emergency planning resources.