Seventh Regiment Memorial, Civil War memorial sculpture in Central Park, US

The Seventh Regiment Memorial is a bronze statue depicting a standing soldier in uniform mounted on a granite pedestal in Central Park. Architect Richard Morris Hunt designed the monument with clean lines and simple dignity to honor those who fell.

Ward likely received the commission in 1867, funded by the Seventh Regiment Monument Association, and had a model ready by spring 1868. The statue is dated 1869 but the monument was unveiled on June 22, 1874. Hunt's earlier plan for a "Warrior Gate" with at least five figures was cut back by park architects Olmsted and Vaux.

The soldier figure was modeled after actor Steele MacKaye wearing his actual Seventh Regiment uniform to ensure historical accuracy. This choice reflects how the monument's creators prioritized faithful representation of the soldiers they honored.

The memorial stands near the West Side of the park at 69th Street alongside the Central Park Drive. The location is easy to reach on foot and sits near other historical monuments within the park.

The original design proposal included multiple bronze figures at Warriors' Gate, but park commissioners selected a much simpler single-figure version. This choice resulted in a memorial that stands out for its understated power.