Henry Ward Beecher Monument

The Henry Ward Beecher Monument is a bronze sculpture in Columbus Park featuring a central figure of the preacher with two children and a Black woman at the base. The granite foundation was designed by renowned architect Richard Morris Hunt.

The monument was unveiled in 1891 to honor the influential preacher who championed abolitionism and education. Sculptor John Quincy Adams Ward created the work using a death mask and photographs as references.

The monument displays Beecher's fight against slavery through a Black woman figure at the base. This representation makes his passion for human rights visible and tangible to anyone who visits.

The monument underwent comprehensive restoration in 2017, with corrosion removal and protective wax application. The site is easily accessible and located in a public park where visitors can view the work at any time.

The inscription on the base calls Beecher the great apostle of human brotherhood, a phrase that held deep meaning then and still resonates today. These words convey the preacher's legacy in a way that transcends time.

Inception: 1891

Creator: John Quincy Adams Ward, Richard Morris Hunt

Made from material: bronze

GPS coordinates: 40.69487,-73.99010

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:02