Roswell P. Flower Monument, (sculpture).

Roswell P. Flower Monument, (sculpture).

Saint-Gaudens, Augustus, 1848-1907, sculptor.

Henry-Bonnard Bronze Company, founder.

Woodbury Granite Company, fabricator.

Brite and Bacon, architectural firm.

Roswell P. Flower Monument, (sculpture).

Commissioned May 29, 1900. Installed Aug. 15, 1902. Dedicated Sept. 1, 1902.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: bronze; Base: granite.

Sculpture: approx. 9 ft. x 6 ft. 3 in. x 58 in.; Base: approx. 9 ft. x 11 ft. 11 3/4 in. x 12 ft. 1 in.

AVGVSTVS SAINT GAVDENS (On back of bronze base:) HENRY BONNARD/BRONZE CO. N.Y. (On front of base:) ROSWELL PETTIBONE FLOWER/BORN AUGUST 1835 DIED MAY 1899/U S REPRESENTATIVE IN THE FORTY SEVENTH/AND IN THE FIFTY FIRST CONGRESS/GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK/MDCCCXCII-MDCCCXCIV (On granite slab below base:) ERECTED IN AFFECTIONATE AND GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OF HIS NOBLE MANHOOD, HIS DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE AND HIS LOVING KINDNESS TO ALL signed Founder's mark appears.

A standing portrait of former Governor Roswell P. Flower with his proper right hand raised and his proper left hand resting on a flag-draped table behind him. He wears a long coat and suit. The sculpture rests on square granite base adorned on the back a bronze state seal depicting two female figures, one blindfolded holding the scales of justice and a sword, and the other holding a tall staff. Between the two female figures is a large shield topped by an eagle, and beneath the female figures is the word EXCELSIOR. On either side of the bronze state seal is a band of carved oak leaves and acorns.

Portrait male -- Flower, Roswell P. -- Full length

Occupation -- Political -- Congressman

Occupation -- Political -- Governor

Outdoor Sculpture -- New York -- Watertown

Administered by City of Watertown, Department of Public Works, Washington Street, Watertown, New York 13601

Administered by Jefferson County Historical Society, 228 Washington Street, Watertown, New York 13601

Located Intersection of Washington & Stone Streets, Watertown, New York

Roswell Pettibone Flower was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1882 and served as governor of New York from 1892-1893. The sculpture, which was commissioned by the Flower Memorial Commission on May 29, 1900 for $25,000, was funded through public subscription. Originally, the base of the sculpture was flanked by two large stone eagles, but they were removed in the spring of 1950 when the city decided to reconstruct the base. In the mid-1950s, the eagles were installed on the lawn of St. Joseph Cupertino Friary near Burrville, and subsequently ended up in Florida.

IAS files contain a copy of the contract for the sculpture; and newspaper articles from the Watertown Daily Times, Sept. 1, 1902; Sept. 2, 1902; Sept. 10, 1964, pg. 19; Sept. 22, 1975; Sept. 23, 1975; and Sept. 24, 1975, pg. 25.

Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985

Jefferson County Historical Society, 1977.

National Park Service, American Monuments and Outdoor Sculpture Database, NY0035, 1989.

Monumental News, Aug. 1902, pg.476.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, New York survey, 1994.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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