A new open‑air exhibition has opened at Freedom Plaza, featuring 22 bronze statues and sculptural installations that honor lesser‑known figures of the American Revolution. The display is part of the country’s 250th‑anniversary celebrations and remains free to the public for the duration of the commemoration.
Dominating the plaza is a 23‑foot bronze figure holding a replica of the Declaration of Independence while raising a sword skyward. Relief panels at its base depict the signing of the Declaration, Washington’s crossing of the Delaware, and the surrender at Yorktown, underscoring the sacrifices that birthed the nation.
A central piece is an equestrian statue of Caesar Rodney, a Delaware delegate whose midnight ride from Dover to Philadelphia in July 1776 secured the state’s vote for independence. The statue, once located in Wilmington’s Rodney Square, now occupies a prominent spot near the White House and Capitol.
Alongside the centerpiece, twelve bronze sculptures portray ordinary Revolutionary soldiers—men like Samuel Whittemore, who fought at age 78, and Simon Knowles, who served under Washington from age 15. These figures celebrate everyday citizens who made extraordinary contributions during the war.
An immersive memorial invites visitors to walk through a narrow bronze representation of a British prison ship, recreating the environment where nearly 12,000 Americans perished. The installation is designed to convey the harsh conditions and the human cost of the conflict.
A restored fountain surrounds the memorial, its water soundscape enhancing the experience and providing a backdrop to the plaza’s redesign. The combination of sculpture and sound seeks to place visitors inside the historical narrative.
The exhibition’s aim is to remind Americans that the nation’s founding relied on the courage of ordinary people. By showcasing these unsung heroes, the display encourages visitors to reflect on the potential for extraordinary acts in everyday life.
Open to all visitors at no charge, the Spirit of 76 exhibition will remain on display throughout the nation’s 250th‑anniversary celebration.
