Bust of John McDonogh

The Bust of John McDonogh is a bronze sculpture situated in Duncan Plaza near New Orleans City Hall. The work was created by artist Angela Gregory and mounted on a granite base in this downtown public space.

The sculpture was created in 1938 as part of the Federal Art Project and originally placed at McDonogh Place. It was moved to Duncan Plaza in 1958, where it has remained since then.

The name McDonogh appears throughout the city connected to schools he funded, reflecting his role in shaping public education for many residents. You can see the school bearing his name as part of this educational legacy.

The sculpture is located in Duncan Plaza in downtown New Orleans and can be easily found while walking through the area around City Hall. The site is openly accessible to the public and provides a good vantage point for exploring the center.

In 2020, protesters removed the sculpture and cast it into the Mississippi River, but city officials later retrieved it. This event shows how public artworks can become part of ongoing local conversations about history.

Location: New Orleans

Inception: 1938

GPS coordinates: 29.95320,-90.07590

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:56