Spirit of ’76 Exhibition Honors Lesser-Known Revolutionary Heroes

Located beneath a towering 23-foot bronze figure holding the Declaration of Independence, designer Matthew Taylor paused beside an equestrian statue many Americans have likely never seen or heard of. “Most Americans have never heard of Caesar Rodney,” Taylor revealed during an exclusive tour of the new Spirit of ’76 exhibition at Freedom Plaza. He emphasized the gratitude owed to Rodney.

This temporary installation forms part of America’s 250th anniversary celebration. It transforms Freedom Plaza into an open-air gallery, spotlighting Revolutionary War figures seldom mentioned in history textbooks. Commissioned by President Donald Trump, the exhibition features 22 statues and sculptural installations, including Rodney’s restored equestrian monument, a towering “Spirit of Liberty” centerpiece, bronze figures representing Revolutionary soldiers, and a memorial honoring the Americans who died aboard British prison ships during the Revolution.

According to the National Park Service, the exhibit celebrates the “heroes and martyrs of the Revolution” during America’s semiquincentennial. It aims to promote the enduring “Spirit of ’76” that resonates with every American.

The centerpiece installations include the Caesar Rodney equestrian statue, the “12 Soldiers of the Revolution,” the Prison Ship Martyrs memorial, and the 23-foot Spirit of Liberty statue.

Rather than starting with figures like George Washington or Thomas Jefferson, Taylor chose Rodney to introduce visitors. The Delaware statesman, a Declaration of Independence signer, is famed for his legendary ride from Dover to Philadelphia in July 1776. Despite severe illness, Rodney rode 80 miles in a storm to cast a decisive vote for Delaware’s independence.

The bronze statue once stood in Wilmington’s Rodney Square but was removed in 2020. It now marks a central location in the nation’s capital, not far from the White House and the Capitol.

“Unlike monuments to George Washington or Thomas Jefferson, these statues honor ordinary Americans who did extraordinary things,” Taylor remarked.

Among the exhibited figures is Samuel Whittemore, who fought British troops at age 78. Despite being bayoneted, shot in the head, and left for dead, Whittemore survived and lived into his 90s. Simon Knowles enlisted at 15, serving alongside George Washington throughout the Revolutionary War before returning to a farming life.

Taylor explained that the exhibition’s central message celebrates ordinary Americans gaining prominence through extraordinary deeds.

A nearby installation highlights one of the Revolution’s lesser-known tragedies. Designed for visitors to walk through its narrow bronze panels, the Prison Ship Martyrs memorial outlines a British prison ship. The National Park Service claims nearly 12,000 Americans died aboard such ships during the Revolutionary War, exceeding those killed in combat.

“As you walk inside, you hear the water from the fountain,” Taylor explained. “It helps place you inside the story.”

The fountain enhances the experience, having recently been restored to function after years of inactivity. It contributes to the soundscape of the memorial, complementing the plaza’s redesign.

Standing above the entire exhibition is the Spirit of Liberty, a new bronze figure inspired by iconic American monuments while looking toward the country’s next 250 years. The statue, 23 feet tall, holds an exact bronze replica of the Declaration of Independence in one hand, while raising a sword skyward with the other. Around its base are reliefs depicting three defining Revolutionary moments: the signing of the Declaration, George Washington’s Delaware River crossing, and the British surrender at Yorktown.

Visitors have been gathering to photograph the statues against the Washington skyline. For Taylor, the exhibition is not just about commemorating famous names. He hopes visitors leave thinking about the individuals they’ve learned about.

“When visitors leave here,” Taylor remarked, “I hope they realize they can do extraordinary things themselves. America was built by ordinary citizens who answered extraordinary moments.”

The Spirit of ’76 exhibition is free to the public and remains on display throughout the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.