Liberty Arming the Patriot

Liberty Arming the Patriot depicts the goddess Liberty handing a sword to a young farmer holding his plow handle in Wilkinson Park, Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The bronze sculpture rests on a substantial granite foundation and is accompanied by two additional figures representing History and Eternity.

Created by sculptor William Granville Hastings and commissioned by the Ladies Soldiers Memorial Association of Pawtucket, the monument was installed in 1897 to honor local Civil War fighters. It was placed in the park as a lasting tribute to their service.

The memorial features a bronze plaque depicting the Battle of Antietam and honors the soldiers from Rhode Island who fought in that engagement. It stands as a reminder of how this community contributed to the broader conflict.

The memorial stands in Wilkinson Park and is easily accessible on foot without special preparation needed. Daytime visits work best to fully appreciate the sculptural details and inscriptions in natural light.

The figure of History's Scribe writes upon a tablet while Eternity holds a symbolic fern frond, unexpected details that extend the memorial's message. These accompanying figures transform the composition into something more than a simple war monument.

Location: Rhode Island

Inception: 1897

GPS coordinates: 41.87698,-71.38697

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:01