Civil War Memorial -Portland, ME - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

The Civil War Memorial in Portland is a large complex monument in the center of the city. It is also known as the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Civil War Monument, Our Lady of Victories, and the Victory Monument. It contains a central allegorical female figure standing on a square granite base with additional sculpture groups on the north and south sides of the base. The figures were sculpted by Franklin Simmons, the architect for the monument was Richard Morris Hunt, and the sculptures were cast at the Fonderia Nelli, foundry. The monument is 45' high and the base is 20.5' on a side. it was dedicated on October 28, 1891.

The allegorical female figure represents Union and Victory. She is wearing a toga-like garment and holding a sword, vertically, in her right hand. The sword is wrapped in a flag and the tip rests on the granite base. On her left arm she is wearing a round shield and is holding maple leaves in her left hand.

On the south side of the base, three sailors stand in front of six flags. An admiral in the center is holding a pair of binoculars. On his right side a bearded sailor, wearing a scarf, is holding a rope and standing in front of an anchor and chain. On the central figure's left a sailor is wearing a hat and short jacket and holds a sword, vertically, in his left hand. He stands in front of a cylinder and ammunition.

On the north side of the base, three army figures stand in front of six flags. The general in the center wears a hat and long jacket and is has both hands on top of a sword in front of him. The sword is vertical and the tip is touching the base. To his right is an artillery soldier holding a ramrod by a cannon. To the central figure's left a soldier is wearing a long jacket and holds a musket diagonally across his body. His left hand is on the barrel and his right hand is near the trigger. He stands in front of a drum, a bugle, and back pack.

On the west side of the base is the inscription:

PORTLAND
TO HER SONS WHO DIED
FOR THE UNION

A bronze plaque on the east face of the base, is inscribed:

1861 1865
MORE THAN FOUR THOUSAND MEN
WERE ENROLLED FROM PORTLAND
IN THE ARMY AND NAVY FOR THE
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
MORE THAN 300
WERE KILLED IN BATTLE OR
DIED IN SERVICE.
HONOR AND GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE
TO THE DEAD. EQUAL HONOR TO THOSE
WHO, DARING TO DIE, SURVIVED

TITLE: Civil War Memorial ARTIST(S): Franklin Simmons, sculptor; Richard Morris Hunt, architect; Fonderia Nelli, founder DATE: Dedicated: October 28, 1891. MEDIUM: bronze sculptures, granite base CONTROL NUMBER: IAS 76008043 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: Monument Square Congress and Federal Streets Portland, Maine DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: No differences noted.

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