Global InformationStatue of Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben information
Major General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben | |
U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
U.S. National Historic Landmark District Contributing Property | |
D.C. Inventory of Historic Sites | |
 Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben in 2011 | |
| Location | Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C. |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 38°54′0″N 77°2′15.72″W / 38.90000°N 77.0377000°W |
| Built | 1910 |
| Architect | Albert Jaegers (sculptor) Cass Gilbert (architect) T. R. Johnson (architect) |
| Part of | American Revolution Statuary Lafayette Square Historic District L'Enfant Plan |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000256[1] (American Revolution Statuary) 70000833[2] Lafayette Square Historic District 97000332[3] (L'Enfant Plan) |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | August 29, 1970 (Lafayette Square Historic District) July 14, 1978 (American Revolution Statuary) April 24, 1997 (L'Enfant Plan) |
| Designated DCIHS | January 19, 1971 (L'Enfant Plan) June 19, 1973 (Lafayette Square Historic District) March 3, 1979 (American Revolution Statuary) |
Major General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben is a bronze statue of Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, a Prussian soldier who assisted the Thirteen Colonies during the American Revolutionary War. Steuben had fought in previous wars, earning promotions until he assisted in the courts of Frederick the Great and later Josef Friedrich Wilhelm, Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen. After meeting with Benjamin Franklin, and fearing for his safety in Europe after alleged homosexual behavior, Steuben and his associates arrived to help the Continental Army.
He met General George Washington at Valley Forge, where he helped turn the army there into one that was capable to fight. Steuben assisted with the Southern Campagin and Siege of Yorktown, after which the American forces were successful in winning the war. Steuben was given land and later retired in New York, where he died in 1794.
In the late 1890s, plans were made to erect statues in Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C., honoring foreign heroes. An Act of Congress passed in 1903 led to the eventual erection of the statue honoring Steuben in 1910. It was sculpted by Albert Jaegers with assistance in the design of the base by Cass Gilbert and T. R. Johnson. The unveiling ceremony was attended by around 10,000 people, including President William Howard Taft. A large parade took place after the ceremony. A replica of the statue was given to the German government the following year.
The statue rests on a tall base adorned with two sets of figures. Steuben's statue is one of 14 American Revolution Statuary in Washington, D.C., that were collectively listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 and the District of Columbia Inventory of Historic Sites the following year. In addition, the statue is a contributing property to the L'Enfant Plan and the Lafayette Square Historic District, a National Historic Landmark.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.