Slavery Memorial

The Slavery Memorial is a cast-iron chain sculpture rising from a domed base with deliberately broken links throughout its length. The installation occupies a prominent spot on the Front Green adjacent to Manning Hall, combining industrial materials with symbolic design to convey meaning.

The university commissioned this memorial in 2014 as an institutional acknowledgment of its connections to the transatlantic slave trade during the 18th century. This installation marked a significant step in the university's reckoning with its own historical past and the role it played in that period.

The location on the Front Green makes this memorial part of daily campus life rather than something set apart. Visitors walking through encounter this work as an integral part of the university's public space and its commitment to confronting historical truths.

The memorial is openly accessible on the Front Green and can be visited any time without restrictions or prior arrangements. The location is easily reached on foot from various points across the campus, making it convenient to include in a campus walk.

The inscription on the granite plinth recognizes contributions from both enslaved and free Africans in building both the university and the broader nation. This detail often surprises visitors who may not expect such nuanced recognition on a single memorial.

Location: Rhode Island

GPS coordinates: 41.82658,-71.40418

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:46