The Statue of Freedom, standing atop the U.S. Capitol like a national wedding-cake topper, wouldn’t exist without the artistry of an enslaved man named Philip Reed.
Almost nothing is known about Reed before he was purchased in 1839 in Charleston, S.C., when he was about 18 years old. Was he separated from his mother, or a spouse, or a child? Where did he get his last name, then spelled “Reid”? And how was he, as the man who purchased him later said, already a “first rate plasterer by trade”?
Neither Crawford nor Davis would see the final statue unveiled. Crawford died suddenly in 1857, not long after finishing the plaster model of Freedom. His widow had the model cut into five pieces and shipped to the United States, where an Italian artist put it back together with interior bolts and new layers of plaster to cover the seams. The model stood for more than a year in Statuary Hall, during which time Davis became president of the Confederacy.
Once in the foundry, Reed worked seven days a week for nine months while the bronze was cast. We know this because Mills kept detailed records and charged the government $1.25 a day — more than his free laborers made — for Reed’s wage. Mills pocketed Reed’s wage six days a week; Reed later filed for and received his wage for 33 Sundays between July 1860 and May 1861, when he was “keeping up fires under the moulds.”The bronze statue was completed by February 1862.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New poll reveals where Americans stand on SCOTUS affirmative action, student loan, religious freedom decisionsA new ABC News/Ipsos poll found that most Americans agree with the Supreme Court's recent rulings on affirmative action, free speech, and student loan handouts.
Read more »
Embrace the Force with Iron Studios Star Wars Obi-Wan Kenobi StatueA new 1/10 Art Scale statue is on the way from Iron Studios has Obi-Wan Kenobi comes to life for the new hit Disney+ television series
Read more »
One dies after early morning crash on Capitol grounds: reportPolice told WHTM TV-27 that the crash occurred at 1:43 a.m. Sunday just north of 4th and Walnut streets on the Capitol grounds.
Read more »
2024 GOP candidates call last week's Supreme Court decisions a win for 'freedom'Multiple Republican presidential candidates expressed support Sunday for the Supreme Court's decisions last week on free speech, affirmative action and student loans.
Read more »
July 4: Quotes about Independence Day, freedom, patriotismWhat does July 4th mean to you? Here's what it means to some others.
Read more »