Spirit of '76 Exhibit Brings Unsung Revolutionary Figures to Freedom Plaza

Beneath a towering 23-foot bronze figure clutching a replica of the Declaration of Independence, designer Matthew Taylor paused beside a restored equestrian statue few visitors have previously seen: Caesar Rodney. Unveiled as part of the nation's 250th anniversary events, the temporary Spirit of '76 installation transforms Freedom Plaza into an open-air gallery honoring lesser-known figures of the American Revolution.

An Exhibition of Ordinary Heroes

Commissioned by President Donald Trump, the display comprises 22 statues and sculptural installations, including the restored Caesar Rodney equestrian monument, a monumental Spirit of Liberty, a series titled the 12 Soldiers of the Revolution, and an immersive Prison Ship Martyrs memorial. According to the National Park Service, the installation was created to commemorate the "heroes and martyrs of the Revolution" during the semiquincentennial and to celebrate the enduring "Spirit of '76."

Why Caesar Rodney Leads the Story

Taylor deliberately chose to begin the narrative with Caesar Rodney rather than the more familiar founding fathers. Rodney, a Delaware statesman and signer of the Declaration of Independence, is famed for riding roughly 80 miles from Dover to Philadelphia in July 1776—through illness and a storm—to cast a deciding vote for independence. His restored equestrian statue, removed from Wilmington's Rodney Square in 2020, now anchors one side of the plaza just blocks from both the White House and the Capitol.

Ordinary Citizens, Extraordinary Acts

Arrayed around the plaza, the 12 Soldiers of the Revolution are bronze portraits of ordinary Americans whose personal stories reflect the sacrifices of the Revolutionary generation. Among them:

• Samuel Whittemore—Reportedly fought British troops at age 78, survived multiple wounds and lived into his 90s.
• Simon Knowles—Allegedly enlisted at 15 and served alongside George Washington before returning to farm life.

Taylor said these figures were chosen to emphasize that independence was secured not only by famous leaders but by countless ordinary citizens who answered extraordinary calls to action.

The Prison Ship Martyrs Memorial

One of the exhibition's more somber installations, the Prison Ship Martyrs memorial, is designed for visitors to walk between narrow bronze panels that evoke the cramped confines of British prison ships. The National Park Service estimates nearly 12,000 Americans died aboard prison ships during the Revolutionary War—more than were killed in combat. A restored fountain provides an auditory element, with the sound of water intended to heighten the immersive experience.

The Spirit of Liberty

Towering over the plaza is the Spirit of Liberty, a 23-foot bronze figure that holds a precise bronze replica of the Declaration of Independence in one hand while raising a sword with the other. Relief panels at the statue's base depict three defining Revolutionary scenes: the signing of the Declaration, George Washington crossing the Delaware, and the British surrender at Yorktown. Taylor said the figure looks back at the nation's founding and forward to the next 250 years.

Public Response and Practical Information

During the public opening, visitors photographed the statues against the Washington skyline, with low-angle views accentuating the works' scale. Taylor, whose career blends visual storytelling and historical design, said he hopes visitors leave curious about names they did not previously know and inspired by the idea that ordinary citizens shaped the nation's founding.

"When visitors leave here, I hope they realize they can do extraordinary things themselves. America was built by ordinary citizens who answered extraordinary moments." — Matthew Taylor

The Spirit of '76 exhibition is free to the public and is scheduled to remain on display for the duration of the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations.