The Independent Man returns for Rhode Island Independence Day

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Independent Man will be heading back home.

Just in time for the state’s Independence Day, the Independent Man will be returned to public view this Saturday, May 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of a State House open house.

With a new layer of gold leaf, it will be available for viewing during the State House’s regular weekday hours of operation through the summer.

Plans are currently underway to return the Independent Man to the top of the State House this fall, once a replacement marble base, using Georgian marble from the original quarry, is completed.

In a statement, Governor Dan McKee said:

“As promised, I want to make sure that Rhode Islanders have another chance to see the Independent Man up close and experience an exciting part of Rhode Island history before the statue returns to its perch later this year. He has his shine back, and I have to say, he is looking sharp.” 

Last fall, the statue was removed after that the marble base of the statue was revealed to be compromised. A team was hired to restore it.