Independent Man comes down from top of State House for first time in decades
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Independent Man was removed from the top of the Rhode Island State House on Tuesday.
The statue touched the ground for the first time in decades. The iconic symbol is in need of historic restoration.
The state announced in September that the statue itself and the marble base it stands on atop the State House are in need of repairs.
It was originally set to be removed before Thanksgiving, but the project was moved to this week, weather-permitting.
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The Independent Man touches the ground for the first time in nearly 50 years, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. (WLNE)
The Independent Man touches the ground for the first time in nearly 50 years, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. (WLNE)
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The Independent Man touches the ground for the first time in nearly 50 years, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. (WLNE)
The Independent Man touches the ground for the first time in nearly 50 years, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. (WLNE)
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The Independent Man is almost ready to be removed from the top of the State House dome by crane, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (WLNE)
The Independent Man is almost ready to be removed from the top of the State House dome by crane, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (WLNE)
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A crane outside the Rhode Island State House is helping crews prepare to take down the Independent Man statue, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. (WLNE)
A crane outside the Rhode Island State House is helping crews prepare to take down the Independent Man statue, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. (WLNE)
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The Independent Man on top of the Rhode Island State House will undergo historic repairs and preservation. (Department of Administration)
The Independent Man on top of the Rhode Island State House will undergo historic repairs and preservation. (Department of Administration)
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The Independent Man on top of the Rhode Island State House will undergo historic repairs and preservation. (Department of Administration)
The Independent Man on top of the Rhode Island State House will undergo historic repairs and preservation. (Department of Administration)
McKee said the Independent Man is a symbol of Rhode Island pride.
The statue is cast in bronze and plated in gold. It stands 11 feet tall and weighs over 500 pounds.
Once secured, the statue was moved inside the State House.
McKee will unveil the Independent Man inside the State House in a historic ceremony on Wednesday morning.
