BREAKING: Elorza Removing Columbus Statue in Providence

BREAKING: Elorza Removing Columbus Statue in Providence

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza announced on Thursday he has ordered the removal of the Christopher Columbus statue from its current location in the Elmwood neighborhood until a final determination on the statue’s future can be advised by the Special Committee for Commemorative Works.

“We want our community’s voice centered in the decisions made around the memorials, historical markers and monuments that represent our city,” said Elorza. “These works should reflect the vibrancy of our neighborhoods and be a source of pride for the residents who live within them. Through this Committee, we are allowing the community to take an active role in shaping these decisions and hope that through future projects, we can better reflect the collective memory of our beautiful city in these landmarks.”

The statue has been vandalized on numerous occasions.

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The statue of Christopher Columbus in Providence has a legacy that may be as transient and rich as the explorer himself. The sculpture was created by Auguste Bartholdi —the Frenchman who sculpted the Statue of Liberty.

The sculpture was cast in 1893 — by the Gorham Manufacturing Company, which had commissioned master sculptor Bartholdi.

The Providence-based bronze cast statue is a cast of the original sterling silver statue commissioned for the 1892 Columbian Exposition of the World's Fair held 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,” according to the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s Office.

According to its history, “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 they ‘were feted as they watched the process.’ 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 a technically difficult to execute sterling silver cast that was also the work of a well-known sculptor.

The Special Committee for Commemorative Works, proposed this past November and recently approved by the City Council, aims to engage residents in evaluating historical works across the City; assessing applications for the creation of new commemorative works; and reviewing the modification, relocation, or deaccession of an existing commemorative works.

The Elorza administration said in a release "The Committee is comprised of six individuals who will work to synthesize these discussions on the future of the Christopher Columbus statue and advise the Board of Parks Commissioners, who will make a final determination. This Committee builds on policy recommendations brought forth by the Art in City Life Plan: A Public Art Initiative for the City of Providence."