Independent Man to come down from State House later than expected

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Independent Man statue will come down from the top of the Rhode Island State House dome a little later than expected.

The statue was set to come down for historic repairs before Thanksgiving, but was pushed back until after the holiday.

Gov. Dan McKee said it will tentatively come down in early December, weather-permitting.

The statue is surrounded by scaffolding so crews can clean it and prepare it for removal.

McKee announced in September that the marble base the statue stands on was starting to separate. The statue itself also needs repairs.

When it does come down, it will touch the ground for the first time in early 50 years.

The Independent Man is almost ready to be removed from the top of the State House dome by crane, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (WLNE)

McKee said his office will sort out ways for people to see the statue before it goes back up.