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USS Maine National Monument

USS Maine National Monument is an outdoor monument at Merchants' Gate in Central Park, Columbus Circle, Manhattan, New York City. Issued on September 1, 1912 and dedicated on May 30, 1913, it honors the men who died aboard the USS Maine when it exploded in Havana Harbor. Designed by Harold Van Buren Magonigle, the monument features a pilon with a fountain at its base and surrounding sculptures by Attilio Piccirilli. At the top is a gilded bronze sculptural group representing Columbia Triumphant in a shell chariot pulled by three hippocamps, modeled by Audrey Munson. The park-side plaque was cast from salvaged metal from the ship. The monument was vandalized during a protest on April 22, 2021.

USS Maine National Monument with gilded figures atop a stone base in a city plaza.
The USS Maine National Monument rises in a busy urban plaza surrounded by trees and tall buildings.
April 2015 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
The USS Maine National Monument with sculpted figures and rearing horses on a multi-tiered pedestal in a grassy setting.
The USS Maine National Monument rises on a lawn, topped by sculptural figures and rearing horses.
August 2015 © · No restrictions
USS Maine National Monument with a sculptural figure and horses atop a tall stone base, seen behind marching soldiers.
The USS Maine National Monument rises behind a line of marching soldiers.
© Underwood and Underwood · Public domain
USS Maine National Monument with three allegorical figures below an inscribed stone wall.
A section of the USS Maine National Monument showing three allegorical figures beneath the inscribed stone monument.
· CC BY-SA 3.0
USS Maine National Monument with a camera crane and film crew around the stone sculpture
The USS Maine National Monument is shown on a film set with a camera crane and crew nearby.
October 2006 © · CC BY-SA 2.0

Identification

TitleUSS Maine National Monument
Spanish nameMonumento Nacional al USS Maine
TypeOutdoor memorial monument

Historical context

CommemoratesThe men killed aboard the USS Maine when it exploded in Havana Harbor
Historical eventExplosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor

Creator

DesignerHarold Van Buren Magonigle
Sculptural elements byAttilio Piccirilli
Top sculpture group modelAudrey Munson
Plaque sculptorCharles Keck

Discovery and provenance

Plaque foundryJno Williams Bronze Foundry
Cast dateSeptember 1, 1912
Commissioned dateSeptember 1, 1912

History and restoration

DedicatedMay 30, 1913
VandalismVandalized during a protest/demonstration at Columbus Circle on April 22, 2021; sprayed with graffiti including "ACAB" and "Stonewall was a Riot"
Completed1913

Physical characteristics

Main structureA pylon with a fountain at its base
Top sculpture groupGilded bronze sculptural group of Columbia Triumphant in a seashell chariot pulled by three hippocampi
Commemorative plaquePlaque attached on the park side of the monument

Materials

Top sculpture group materialBronze, reportedly from metal recovered from the USS Maine's guns
Commemorative plaque materialMetal salvaged from the ship

Location and ownership

LocationMerchants' Gate entrance of Central Park, at Columbus Circle, Manhattan, New York City

Other

Stonewall graffiti referenceThe phrase referred to the Stonewall riots in Greenwich Village
Plaque productionThe number of plaques produced is unknown
Plaque distribution/publicityWidely advertised and found in many places in the United States