Esek Hopkins Statue

Esek Hopkins Statue

Subject (Topic)
Hopkins Square--Rhode Island--Providence
Monuments--Rhode Island--Providence
Charles--Neighborhoods--Rhode Island--Providence

Subject (Name)
Hopkins, Esek, 1718-1802

Subject (Object)
Commemorative sculpture

The bronze statue of Esek Hopkins shows the naval commander in the dress of the American Continental Navy. He wears a waistcoat and breeches and a long coat with wide lapels and large buttons. Atop his head rests a tricorn with a cockade. Hopkins’s left-hand rests atop his sword. His right arm extends straight from his right shoulder, and he holds a telescope in his right hand that melds into his pointing index finger. Hopkins seems to be in motion, about to step off his bronze base: he strides forward on his left leg, and his right leg extends behind him.

The artist Theodora Alice Ruggles-Kitson signed the sculpture and dated it to 1895. In 1896, the Henry-Bonnard Bronze Company cast the bronze statue, and the city appropriated funds for the granite base. Unlike the parades and numerous exercises held for other nineteenth-century monuments dedicated in the city, the Park Commission never held a formal dedication of the statue. Sometime in 1897, the Commission installed the statue in Hopkins Park (now Hopkins Square), the old burial grounds for the Hopkins family. In 1898, a citizen complained of the neglected condition of the statue and the surrounding park/burial ground. By 1906, the park was cleaned up and declared a "a beautiful little breathing space."

Ruggles-Kitson, Theodora Alice, 1871-1932
Henry-Bonnard Bronze Company, New York City

Photographs by Eric Sung, Professor, Providence College

Cast: 1896
Installed: 1897

Harriet Newell Hawes Coggeshall (donor); Richard H. Deming, Park Commission

City of Providence, 25 Dorrance Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, United States

JPEG

English

Visual Arts-Sculpture

Hopkins Square, Charles Street and Branch Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island, 02904, United States

Inscription on front of granite plinth:
Esek Hopkins
Commander in Chief
Of the
Continental Navy
During the
American Revolution

From Dec. 22, 1775, to Jan. 2, 1778

Born April 26, 1718
Died Feb. 25, 1802

Inscription on base of granite plinth (front):
Restored in 1997
Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr.
City of Providence

Inscription on back of granite plinth:
Erected Through the Liberality
Of a Descendent
Harriet Hopkins Coggeshall
And the
City of Providence

Inscription on base of granite plinth (back):
Here Lie Buried
Sophia C. H. West. Anna C. West
1810-1873 1835-1893

Descendants of Esek Hopkins

Foundry stamp on bronze base of statue (right side):
Cast by Henry-Bonnard Bronze Co. N-Y 1896

Artist signature on bronze base of statue (left side):
Theo, Alice, Ruggles-Kitson.
Sculptor, 1895

Bronze; Granite

"Esek Hopkins. Commander-in-Chief of the Navy of 1775. The Proposed Monument to His Memory in Providence." Providence Journal, October 21, 1894.

"The Public Parks. Annual Report of Commissioners Review Works of the Year." Providence Journal, March 4, 1896.

"General Assembly. A Large Amount of Routine Bills Passed Along Thursday. . . House of Representatives." Providence Journal, May 1, 1896.

"Summary: Proposed Statue of Admiral Hopkins." The American Architect and Building News, 54, no. 1096 (December 26, 1896): 105-106. (Google Books, https://books.google.com/books?id=C4lMAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA3-PA87&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=1#v=onepage&q=kitson&f=false)

"Art News. The Hopkins Statue." Providence Journal, January 3, 1897.

"Park Commission Report." Providence Journal, February 19, 1897.

"A Neglected Spot. Statue of Esek Hopkins Almost Hidden by Weeds and Rubbish." Providence Journal, November 2, 1898.

"Admiral Hopkins Park. Prospect That Something Will Be Done to Improve Its Appearance." Providence Journal, December 24, 1899.

"Programme for July Fourth. Attempt Being Made to Have Admiral Hopkins Statue Dedicated." Providence Journal, May 2, 1901.

"Gathering of Compatriots. Annual Dinner of the Sons of the Revolution. . . . Business Meeting of Society. Many Details Attended to Yesterday Afternoon." Providence Journal, February 23, 1906.

"Celebration by Sons of Revolution. Impressive Gathering Around Esek Hopkins Statue." Providence Journal, May 31, 1906.

"Revolution’s Sons Hold Celebration. Picturesque Memorial Exercises in Hopkins Park." Providence Journal, May 31, 1912.

"S. A. R. Tribute to Esek Hopkins. Wreath Placed on Statue and Flag Over Grave." Providence Journal, May 31, 1914.

"Fr. Bove Praises American Heroes. Delivers Address at Statue of Commodore Hopkins. Wreath Put on Monument." Providence Journal, May 31, 1917.

"S. A. R. Exercises Draw Big Crowds. Tablet Unveiled and Esek Hopkins Statue Decorated." Providence Journal, May 31, 1919.

"Annual Homage to Esek Hopkins Made. Several Hundred Pupils Cooperate with D. A. R. in Programme. Wreath Put on Statue." Providence Journal, May 31, 1925.

"Whole State to Honor War Dead. Traditional Parades and Exercises to be Held in Cities and Towns Tomorrow." Providence Journal, May 29, 1934.

"State Pays Annual Tribute to Soldier and Sailor Dead. Only 12 Civil War Veterans Ride in Greatest Memorial Day Parade in Downtown Providence in Several Years. Exercises at Monuments and Cemeteries." Providence Journal, May 31, 1934.

"Navy Joins R.I. in Tribute to Admiral Esek Hopkins." Providence Journal, May 4, 1957.

Department of Art, Culture, Tourism, City of Providence