Upper Merion Township near King of Prussia in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
American Icon
Valley Forge National Historical Park
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Americans of the Revolutionary era looked to ancient Rome and Greece as models of republican ideals. This statue, a bronze copy of the original marble which has stood in the rotunda of the Virginia State capitol since 1796, includes both classical and also American symbols that would have been familiar to Americans of the time. George Washington is depicted as a modern Cincinnatus, the Roman farmer and general who left his farm to save the Roman Republic, and then voluntarily returned to his plow.
To study his subject, French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon traveled to America and stayed at Mount Vernon for two weeks, taking detailed measurements of Washington and casting this life mask. Washington’s family believed that the final statue was the most realistic depiction ever made of him.
Take a Closer Look
The Father of our Country wears his military uniform but carries a civilian walking cane rather than his sword, which has been set aside. He stands by a farmer's plowshare, a symbol of his love of peace and agriculture. He rests his hand on a bundle of rods called fasces, a Roman symbol of civil authority. Here, the thirteen rods represent the joining of the original states and the strength gained from that unity.
[caption:]
George Washington, cast by Devile from original life mask by Houdon, 1785. Courtesy of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1796.
Location. 40° 6.051′ N, 75° 27.62′ W. Marker is near King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, in Montgomery County. It is in Upper Merion Township. Marker can be reached from Valley Forge Park Road (Pennsylvania Route 23) 0.3 miles east of Gulph Road (Pennsylvania Route 3031), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1400 North Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia PA 19406, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Village of Valley Forge (within shouting distance of this marker); Headquarters Complex (within shouting distance of this marker); Commander in Chief’s Guards (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Valley Creek (about 400 feet away); Washington’s Headquarters (about 500 feet away); Remembering Valley Forge (about 500 feet away); Did You Know? (about 500 feet away); War Comes to Valley Forge (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in King of Prussia.
Also see . . . Valley Forge National Historical Park. National Park Service (Submitted on September 14, 2014.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 70,313 times since then and 62,687 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 14, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.