PROVIDENCE – The statue of Christopher Columbus that has stood in Columbus Square in Providence, in the Elmwood neighborhood, since the late 19th century will remain where it is, according to the city councilman who represents the area.
In recent years, and as recently as this month, the statue has been the subject of vandalism, as people have protested the role that Columbus played in bringing Europeans into the Americas.
Providence police on June 13 arrested three people after a box encasing the statue was vandalized with paint.
The Columbus statue, designed by the same sculptor as the Statue of Liberty, originally was a gift by the Gorham Manufacturing Co. to the residents of Elmwood, and it is located in an area once occupied by the silver factory and its worker homes.
In a message this week, Councilman James E. Taylor, who represents the area, said the statute has significance to the neighborhood and will remain there. It was encased in a box because the park where it is located is going to have construction, including infrastructure and new lights.
“As you may have learned, the protective box was vandalized late last night, but the Columbus statue remains intact,” he wrote.
The statue was created by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, who designed the Statue of Liberty. It was originally cast in silver for the Gorham Manufacturing Co., a significant silver manufacturer that was founded in Providence.
The bronze replica was installed in its current location in 1893 as a gift to the city from the Elmwood Association. The sprawling factory’s location is now occupied by the Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School.
(SUBS lede to correct to 19th century.)
Mary MacDonald is a staff writer for the PBN. Contact her at MacDonald@PBN.com.
