Independent Man statue to undergo renovations soon

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Independent Man isn’t returning quite yet, but we are going to get a chance to see the iconic statue for the first time in months.

A behind-the-scenes look at the process shows the restoration will go through a number of steps.

This includes a laser cleaning of the statue, as well as gold electroplating repairs.

We’ll get a close-up look as restoration crews re-glide the statue with gold leaf on top of the electroplating, and finally, the curing process.

A lot of work will go into restoring the 11-foot, 500-pound statue that was removed from the top of the state house back in December for the first time in nearly 50 years and just the second time in its history.

The statue has dealt with a lot of wear and tear from the weather over the years prompting the restoration process before once again being put back in its spot above the state capitol.

The cleaning process starts at 10 a.m. Friday.