The Independent Man, newly gilded, couldn’t miss Rhode Island Independence Day event

Photo: Pamela Bhatia, Artistic Images RI

The refurbished statue of the Independent Man is heading back home and will be available for public viewing just in time for Rhode Island Independence Day. 

“As promised, I want to make sure that Rhode Islanders have another chance to see the Independent Man up close and experience an exciting part of Rhode Island history before the statue returns to its perch later this year,” said Governor Dan McKee. “He has his shine back, and I have to say, he is looking sharp.” 

The 14’ statue, dressed in a new layer of gold leaf, will be returned to public view this Saturday, May 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of a State House open house, organized collaboratively by the Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore and the State House Restoration Committee. It will then be available for viewing during the State House’s regular weekday hours of operation through the summer. Plans are currently underway to return the Independent Man to the top of the State House this fall, once a replacement marble base—using Georgian marble from the original quarry—is completed.

Last fall, drone footage of the State House revealed that the marble base upon which the statue rests had been compromised, putting the statue at risk. The state quickly acted to remove the iconic statue temporarily and hired an expert conservator to restore the Independent Man’s original, gold-leaf surface. 

In the mid-1970s, the statue’s gold leaf had worn considerably. At that time, he was also removed from the top of the State House and underwent a refurbishment that included removing the remaining gold leaf and covering the statue with a new coating of gold electroplate. Gold electroplating rather than gold leaf was used because the electroplating was less likely to wear in the weather.  

This year, after the gold electroplating underwent minor repairs, the conservation team added an overlayer of gold leaf on top of the electroplating. This strategy not only restored the original surface from 1899 but also provided another layer of protection from the elements and ensured the gold underneath would still be visible if the leaf began to wear.

The statue will be transported to the State House this Thursday and temporarily reinstalled in the foyer by close of business on Friday.

The timing of the Independent Man’s return coincides with the anniversary of the date in 1776 when Rhode Island became the first colony to renounce allegiance to England—two months before delegates to the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. 

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Rhode Island State House opens for Saturday tours

The Rhode Island State House will be open to the public on Saturday, May 4 in recognition of Rhode Island Independence Day. 

The State House will be open to the public from 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Guided tours will depart from the State House lobby at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 11:30 am. From 12 p.m. – 2 p.m., self-guided tour materials will be available.

The Independent Man will be on display in the State House lobby, and Mark Rabinowitz, the conservator responsible for the statue’s restoration, will be available to give a brief presentation about the restoration process at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 12:30 p.m.

“Rhode Island played a critical role in the American Revolution, leading the way as the first colony to renounce its allegiance to England,” said Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore. “Visiting the State House to enjoy a tour of this incredible building and learn about the Act of Renunciation is the perfect way to recognize Rhode Island Independence Day. I thank Governor McKee and the entire State House Restoration Committee for helping to ensure this is a memorable occasion for Rhode Islanders.” 

“I can’t think of a better homecoming than returning the Independent Man to the State House on Rhode Island’s Independence Day,” said Governor McKee. “We thank the Secretary of State and the State House Restoration Committee for making the building open for visitors on this special day.”

The State House’s weekend opening is being supported by the State House Restoration Committee.

“The State House Restoration Committee was created to support the restoration, preservation, and betterment of the Rhode Island State House, which truly is the People’s House,” said Michael DiBiase, chair of the State House Restoration Committee. “We are proud to partner with the Secretary of State and the Governor to invite Rhode Islanders inside on a day the State House is typically closed to the public, so that all members of the community can experience what this incredible building has to offer.”

In addition, a pop-up exhibit titled Rhode Island’s Revolutionary Communities will be on display on the second floor of the State House, which features information about Rhode Island’s role in the American Revolution, including the Act of Renunciation. 

On May 4, 1776, Rhode Island was the first colony to renounce allegiance to Great Britain’s King George III and declare independence by official legislative act. The passage of the Act of Renunciation by the Rhode Island General Assembly took place at the Old State House on Benefit Street in Providence, Rhode Island. This Act officially ended the colony’s allegiance to Great Britain. The original Act is in the keeping of the State Archives.