A new exhibition at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., titled "Spirit of '76," is showcasing 22 sculptures and installations to commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary by highlighting lesser-known figures of the Revolutionary War.
Commissioned by former President Donald Trump and designed by Matthew Taylor, the exhibition aims to honor the "heroes and martyrs of the Revolution" and celebrate the enduring "Spirit of '76." According to the National Park Service, the exhibit is intended to honor those whose contributions might not be as widely recognized as those of figures like George Washington or Thomas Jefferson.
One of the central pieces is a restored equestrian statue of Caesar Rodney, a Delaware statesman and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Rodney is remembered for his arduous overnight ride through a storm in July 1776 to cast Delaware's deciding vote in favor of independence. The statue, previously located in Wilmington, Delaware, was removed in 2020 and now stands prominently near the White House and Capitol.
The exhibition also features 12 bronze sculptures representing ordinary Revolutionary War soldiers, meant to depict the sacrifices of the broader generation of Americans who fought for independence. These figures include individuals like Samuel Whittemore, who fought British troops at age 78 and survived severe injuries, and Simon Knowles, who enlisted at 15 and served throughout the war.
"These are ordinary citizens who did extraordinary things," Taylor said of the soldier sculptures. "Every one of these statues tells the story of someone who answered the call during the Revolution."
Another installation, the Prison Ship Martyrs memorial, recreates the outline of a British prison ship. This exhibit aims to immerse visitors in the experience of the nearly 12,000 Americans who died aboard such ships during the war, a number that exceeds those killed in combat.
Towering over the exhibition is the "Spirit of Liberty" statue, a 23-foot bronze figure holding a replica of the Declaration of Independence and raising a sword. Its base features reliefs depicting key moments of the Revolution, including the signing of the Declaration, Washington crossing the Delaware, and the British surrender at Yorktown.
Designer Matthew Taylor expressed hope that visitors will leave the exhibition with a greater awareness of the diverse individuals who contributed to the nation's founding and be inspired by their potential to achieve extraordinary things.
The "Spirit of '76" exhibition is open to the public free of charge and is scheduled to remain on display throughout the nation's semiquincentennial celebration.