The Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument (also known as "Our Lady of Victories")[1] is a monumental statue located in Monument Square, Portland, Maine, United States. Dedicated on October 28, 1891,[2] it honors "those brave men of Portland, soldiers of the United States army and sailors of the navy of the United States who died in defense of the country in the late civil war".[3] The monument's base has the inscription Portland: To Her Sons Who Died for The Union.[4]
_2024.jpg) The statue in 2024 | |
 | |
| 43°39′27″N 70°15′32″W / 43.65737°N 70.25892°W | |
| Location | Monument Square, Portland, Maine, United States |
|---|---|
| Designer | Franklin Simmons (statue) Richard Morris Hunt (base) |
| Type | Statue |
| Material | Bronze Granite (base) |
| Completion date | 1891 |
| Dedicated date | August 31, 1910 |
| Dedicated to | United States Army and United States Navy who died in the American Civil War |
It is a bronze statue mounted on a granite base, depicting a female figure, clad in armor and covered by flowing robes. She is holding a sword wrapped in a belt in her right hand and a shield and a branch of oak leaves in her left hand. The figure is an allegorical representation of Victory. On two sides of the base stand bronze groups of three sailors and three soldiers.[5] On the northern side, the central figure is Brigadier Francis L. Vinton of Fort Preble. Maine sailors are honored on the opposite side, with Admiral David G. Farragut being the central figure.[4]
The sculpture was created by Maine sculptor Franklin Simmons; the base was designed by New York City architect Richard Morris Hunt. Portland architect Francis H. Fassett selected the site's original landscaping. The local Grand Army of the Republic lodge raised sufficient funds for to pay for the monument.[5] It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 1, 1998.[6]
The monument stands on the former location of Portland's Market House, which was built in 1825. It was modified in 1833 to become Portland's first city hall. It was demolished in 1888, with today's monument replacing it three years later.
References
edit- ^ "Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Portland, ca. 1900". Maine Memory Network. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ Tobin, Michael (October 22, 2011). "A monument of malcontent?". Portland Daily Sun. Archived from the original on April 3, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
- ^ Acts and resolves passed by the ... Legislature of the state of Maine
- ^ a b Ledman, Paul J. (2016). Walking Through History: Portland, Maine on Foot. Next Steps Publishing. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-9728587-1-7.
- ^ a b "NRHP nomination for Portland Soldiers and Sailors Monument". National Park Service. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.