New Exhibit Celebrates Unsung Heroes of the Revolution

Designer Matthew Taylor stood before a striking 23-foot bronze statue of the Declaration of Independence, alongside an equestrian statue that many might not recognize. “Most Americans have never even heard of Caesar Rodney,” he remarked during an exclusive tour of the new Spirit of ’76 exhibit at Freedom Plaza. “But we owe this man a huge debt of gratitude.”

This exhibit, revealed in honor of America’s 250th anniversary, aims to turn Freedom Plaza into an open-air gallery dedicated to Revolutionary War figures that often go unnoticed in history books.

Commissioned during Donald Trump’s presidency, the exhibit includes 22 statues and various sculptural installations, such as a restored Rodney Equestrian Monument, a striking Spirit of Liberty centerpiece, bronze statues of Revolutionary soldiers, and a memorial for those lost on British POW ships during the Revolution.

“As we recognize the heroes and martyrs of the Revolution,” the National Park Service explains, this installation seeks to encapsulate the “Spirit of ’76,” a notion that resonates in all Americans’ hearts.

Not starting with household names like George Washington, Taylor has chosen to spotlight Rodney, a Delaware statesman and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. During a storm in July 1776, despite being critically ill, Rodney traveled about 130 miles to cast his vote for independence, breaking the stalemate in Delaware.

The statue of Rodney was removed from Wilmington’s Rodney Square in 2020—now it has a prominent placement just blocks from the White House. Taylor guides visitors to other chapters of this national story, including 12 bronze statues that represent lesser-known soldiers from the Revolutionary War.

Each statue tells the tale of average Americans who did remarkable things. “These are ordinary people who performed extraordinary acts,” Taylor shared. “Each tells a unique story from that pivotal time.”

One statue honors Samuel Whitmore, who engaged with British forces at 78 years old and, after enduring multiple wounds, lived into his 90s. Another statue commemorates Simon Knowles, who signed up at just 15 and served alongside George Washington before returning to farm life.

Taylor emphasized how these installations celebrate regular Americans rather than just historical figures like Washington or Jefferson. Nearby, a sobering monument, the Prison Ship Martyrs Memorial, recreates the structure of a British prison ship, where about 12,000 Americans perished during the Revolutionary War—an even greater toll than combat casualties.

To enhance the experience, Taylor noted that when visitors walk through it, they hear water flowing from a fountain, designed to draw them in emotionally. The surrounding plaza, recently rejuvenated, now offers a fitting backdrop for the monument.

Lofty above all is the Spirit of Liberty statue, inspired by America’s iconic structures, signifying hope for the nation’s next 250 years. With a bronze replica of the Declaration in one hand and a sword in the other, the statue is surrounded by reliefs depicting crucial moments of the Revolution, including the signing of the Declaration and George Washington’s famed Christmas crossing of the Delaware.

“This statue embodies the sacrifices made to create this country,” Taylor explained.

While visitors gather to snap photos against the backdrop of the Washington skyline, Taylor hopes they feel inspired. He wants them to walk away recognizing the link between their lives and the lives of those they’ve just learned about. “America has always been built by ordinary people doing extraordinary things,” he added.

The Spirit of ’76 exhibit is free for public viewing and will continue throughout the celebrations of the 250th anniversary.