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James A. Garfield Monument

The James A. Garfield Monument stands in Garfield Circle on the grounds of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. It memorializes U.S. president James A. Garfield, who was elected in 1880 and assassinated in 1881 after serving only four months in office. The monument was sculpted by John Quincy Adams Ward, cast by The Henry-Bonnard Co. of New York, and designed with a pedestal by Richard Morris Hunt. Unveiled on May 12, 1887, it is considered an outstanding example of Beaux-Arts architecture. The bronze statue rests on a granite pedestal featuring three sculptures representing periods in Garfield’s life. It became part of the United States Capitol Complex in 1975.

James A. Garfield Monument with a bronze statue of James A. Garfield in front of the U.S. Capitol dome and columns
The James A. Garfield Monument stands in front of the U.S. Capitol building.
August 2004 © · CC BY 2.0
James A. Garfield Monument with a bronze statue on a tiered stone pedestal, surrounded by smaller bronze figures in a park with the U.S. Capitol dome in the background.
The James A. Garfield Monument rises from a park setting, with the U.S. Capitol dome visible behind it.
© Detroit Publishing Company · Public domain
James A. Garfield Monument at the center of a traffic circle, surrounded by bare trees and roads.
The James A. Garfield Monument stands at the center of a traffic circle in Washington, D.C.
© unknown creator · Public domain
James A. Garfield Monument behind a field of yellow flowers with the U.S. Capitol dome in the background.
The James A. Garfield Monument rises behind yellow flowers with the Capitol dome visible beyond it.
July 2013 © · Public domain
James A. Garfield Monument silhouetted against a colorful sunset sky with dark trees below.
The James A. Garfield Monument is silhouetted against a glowing sunset sky.
July 2015 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleJames A. Garfield Monument
SubjectJames A. Garfield
TypeMemorial monument

Historical context

HonoreeJames A. Garfield (1831–1881), elected in 1880 and assassinated in 1881 after serving only four months in office
AssassinCharles J. Guiteau, an attorney and disgruntled office-seeker

Creator

SculptorJohn Quincy Adams Ward
FoundryThe Henry-Bonnard Bronze Co. of New York
Pedestal designerRichard Morris Hunt

Discovery and provenance

Commissioned bySociety of the Army of the Cumberland
Commissioned year1884
FundraisingThe Society of the Army of the Cumberland raised nearly $28,000 for the sculptor's fee
Fundraising eventGarfield Monument Fair, held in 1882 in the Capitol Rotunda and National Statuary Hall
Congressional funding$7,500 in 1882 from the sale of condemned cannons
Pedestal funding$30,000 contributed in 1884
Total price$62,539 including installation

Physical characteristics

Pedestal figuresThree seated allegorical figures representing Garfield's life as a student/teacher, soldier, and statesman
Pedestal detailsPlaques with swords and globes on the second tier above the figures
Pedestal formTapered cylindrical granite pedestal
DimensionsBronze Garfield figure: 9 feet (2.7 m) high; pedestal: 16 feet (4.9 m) high; three bronze pedestal figures: 5 feet (1.5 m) high
MaterialBronze statue on a granite pedestal

Appearance

Main figure poseStanding and looking into the distance
Main figure clothingLong coat over a suit
Main figure featuresBeard, moustache, and wavy hair
Main figure attributeHolding a stack of inauguration papers and resting a hand on an open book on a small draped column
Pedestal figures appearanceRoman males seated near the base: a barefoot student in a sheep-skin tunic holding paper, a middle-aged soldier in wolf skin and fur boots reaching for a sword, and a statesman in sandals and a long robe holding a tablet inscribed 'Law Justice Prosperity'
InscriptionsGarfield statue: 'J.Q.A. Ward Sculp. 1887; The Henry-Bonnard Bronze Co. New York'; base figures: 'J.Q.A. Ward Sculp'; front base: 'James. A. Garfield 1831–1881'; left base: 'Major-General U-S-V, Member of Congress, Senator, and President of The United States of America'; right base: 'Erected by his Comrades of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland May 18, 1887'

Location and ownership

Historic listingsNational Register of Historic Places; District of Columbia Inventory of Historic Sites
Contributing property toThe National Mall and L'Enfant Plan
JurisdictionWest side of the United States Capitol Complex, under the jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol
SettingIn Union Square near the Capitol Reflecting Pool, alongside the Peace Monument and the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial
LocationGarfield Circle on the grounds of the United States Capitol at First Street and Maryland Avenue, Washington, D.C.

History and restoration

UnveiledMay 12, 1887
ErectedMay 18, 1887
Incorporated into United States Capitol ComplexJanuary 2, 1975
Conservation treatmentCleaned in 1992 by the Architect of the Capitol with low-pressure washing, corrosion inhibitor, repatination, acrylic lacquer and wax protection, lead joint repairs, and sidewalk improvements around the circle

Significance

StyleAmerican Beaux-Arts monument
SignificanceNotable example of American sculpture
Erected byHis comrades in the Society of the Army of the Cumberland

Other

Related collectionNational Statuary Hall Collection