Rhode Island hopes to bring the Independent Man down before Thanksgiving

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Independent Man may come down from the top of the Rhode Island State House before Thanksgiving if all goes to plan.

Gov. Dan McKee said Tuesday that engineers are assessing the damage of the marble base where the statue stands.

They said the marble base has separated and the “drum” that keeps the statue in place has cracks.

https://twitter.com/GovDanMcKee/status/1711749453789474956

McKee announced last month that the Independent Man was in need of historic repairs. State employees noticed the marble was separating while taking video of the dome.

When it comes down, it will touch the ground for the first time in nearly 50 years.

McKee said workers are building scaffolding to reach the statue and the marble. They’re also designing equipment to safely bring them to the ground.

The statue has been secured with cable in the meantime.