There’s not much related to the American Revolution in D.C. for the simple reason that the city did not exist during that war. One of the few things we have (other than the paintings in the Rotunda of the Capitol of scenes from that period) is a statue of General Nathanael Greene in the middle of Stanton Park. Which made it the perfect place for the National Park Service, the neighborhood group Revive Stanton Park and the Capitol Hill Restoration Society to celebrate 250 years of independence.
No, Greene did not get a cape for the occasion – here workers are covering him up in preparation for the big reveal. (RSP)
First up: The Army’s fife and drum corps, who marched around the park… (RSP)
…before ending up in front of the covered statue (RSP)
After a brief introduction by the Park Service and a few words by Charles Allen, it was time for the big reveal. (RSP)
Which turned out to be a little more complicated than expected. But, in the end, the last corner was unhitched from the horse’s ear, and the statue stood proudly once again. And looking much better, what with the removal of the oxidation and covering in protective wax. (RSP)
After this excitement, there was just a talk by the man of the hour, who gave a short precis of his career, especially during the Revolutionary War and what, exactly, he and his men had been fighting for (RSP)
There were also a few people who showed off the realities of the war – including letting visitors get a sense of the weight of the muskets that the soldiers carried. (RSP)
