Statue of Joseph Henry
Statue by William Wetmore Story in Washington, D.C., U.S. / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Statue of Joseph Henry?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Professor Joseph Henry, also known as the Joseph Henry Memorial, is an outdoor bronze sculpture depicting scientist Joseph Henry, the first president of the Smithsonian Institution. The statue stands in front of the Smithsonian Institution Building in Washington, D.C., facing the National Mall. It was sculpted by artist William Wetmore Story, and dedicated in 1883, a few years after Henry's death. The bronze statue and granite base were unveiled in front of thousands of onlookers and invited guests. Speeches at the dedication included one from Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Morrison Waite, and the president of Yale College, Noah Porter.
Professor Joseph Henry | |
Location | Jefferson Drive SW Washington, D.C., U.S. |
---|---|
Coordinates | 38°53′21″N 77°01′34″W |
Built | 1883 |
Architect | William Wetmore Story |
NRHP reference No. | 78000256[1] 97000332[2] |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 (National Mall) April 24, 1997 (L'Enfant Plan) |
Designated DCIHS | November 8, 1964 (National Mall) January 19, 1971 (L'Enfant Plan) |
The statue originally stood northwest of the Smithsonian Institution Building, but it was moved in 1934 when the National Mall was reconfigured. In 1965, the statue was turned around so that Henry faces the Mall. He did not like the Smithsonian Institution Building, even though he and family lived there for more than two decades. The statue is a contributing property to the National Mall Historic District and the L'Enfant Plan, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the District of Columbia Inventory of Historic Sites.