Statue of Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, Washington, DC
1910 (photograph 1977)
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This statue of Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben by Albert Jaegars, was dedicated in 1910 in Washington, DC.
This 11 foot bronze statue depicts the Prussian soldier inspected American troops during maneuvers at Valley Forge in 1778. The is depicted in the uniform of a Major General of the Continental Army atop a twenty foot high pedestal. On the pedestal are bronze groups representing different aspects of Von Steuben's role in the American Revolution. One, Military Instruction, symbolizes von Steuben’s contribution to the American fight for Independence. A classical soldier is shown instructing a young figure how to handle a word. On the other side, entitled Commemoration, symbolizes a grateful America honoring von Steuben. Here, a woman assisted by a child, grafts his foreign stock on to the tree of American national life as she recounts his heroic deeds.
The pedestal states "Erected by the Congress of the United States to Frederick William Augustus Henry Ferdinand Von Steuben. In Grateful Recognition of his Services to the American People in their Struggle for Liberty. Born in Prussia, September 17, 1730. Died in New York, November 28, 1794. After serving as Aide-De-Camp to Frederick the Great of Prussia, he Offered his Sword to the American Colonies and was Appointed Major General and Inspector General in the Continental Army. He gave Military Training and Discipline to the Citizen Soldiers who Achieved the Independence of the United States. MCMX."
This photo and description of the Statue of Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben in Washington, DC are part of materials from the American Revolutionary Statuary in Washington DC Nomination form for the National Register of Historic Places.
This 11 foot bronze statue depicts the Prussian soldier inspected American troops during maneuvers at Valley Forge in 1778. The is depicted in the uniform of a Major General of the Continental Army atop a twenty foot high pedestal. On the pedestal are bronze groups representing different aspects of Von Steuben's role in the American Revolution. One, Military Instruction, symbolizes von Steuben’s contribution to the American fight for Independence. A classical soldier is shown instructing a young figure how to handle a word. On the other side, entitled Commemoration, symbolizes a grateful America honoring von Steuben. Here, a woman assisted by a child, grafts his foreign stock on to the tree of American national life as she recounts his heroic deeds.
The pedestal states "Erected by the Congress of the United States to Frederick William Augustus Henry Ferdinand Von Steuben. In Grateful Recognition of his Services to the American People in their Struggle for Liberty. Born in Prussia, September 17, 1730. Died in New York, November 28, 1794. After serving as Aide-De-Camp to Frederick the Great of Prussia, he Offered his Sword to the American Colonies and was Appointed Major General and Inspector General in the Continental Army. He gave Military Training and Discipline to the Citizen Soldiers who Achieved the Independence of the United States. MCMX."
This photo and description of the Statue of Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben in Washington, DC are part of materials from the American Revolutionary Statuary in Washington DC Nomination form for the National Register of Historic Places.
This primary source comes from the Records of the National Park Service.
National Archives Identifier: 117691933
Full Citation: Statue of Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, Washington, DC; 1910 (photograph 1977); National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records: Washington, DC; National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records, 2013 - 2017; Records of the National Park Service, Record Group 79; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/statue-of-friedrich-wilhelm-von-steuben-washington-dc, May 10, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.