Architect of the Capitol no topic Update

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Sculptor Thomas Crawford's third design for the Statue of Freedom was approved by Secretary of War Jefferson Davis in April 1856.

This design features a classical female figure with long, flowing hair wearing a helmet with a crest composed of an eagle’s head and feathers. The helmet is encircled by nine stars. She wears a classical dress secured with a brooch in¬scribed “U.S.” Over it is draped a heavy, flowing, toga-like robe fringed with fur and decorative balls. Her right hand rests upon the hilt of a sheathed sword wrapped in a scarf; in her left hand she holds a laurel wreath of victory and the shield of the United States with 13 stripes. Ten bronze points tipped with platinum are attached to her headdress, shoulders, and shield for protection from lightning. She stands on a cast-iron pedestal on a globe encircled with the motto E Pluribus Unum (Out of many, one).

Learn more about the design of the Statue of Freedom.

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In his second draft for the design of the Statue of Freedom Thomas Crawford sculpted a graceful figure in a classical dress wearing a liberty cap encircled with stars, holding a shield, wreath, and sword, which he said represented Armed Liberty.

It was sent to Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, who was in charge of the overall construction at the Capitol. Davis objected to the liberty cap, the symbol of freed slaves, because “its history renders it inappropriate to a people who were born free and should not be enslaved.” Davis suggested a helmet with a circle of stars, which Crawford incorporated in the final design.

Learn more about the design of the Statue of Freedom.

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The original by sculptor Thomas Crawford for the Statue of Freedom was not approved.

This design featured a female figure wearing a wreath of wheat and laurel and was described by Crawford as, “Freedom triumphant—in Peace and War.”

However, when he saw the drawing for the Capitol Dome, Crawford realized that his statue needed to be taller and stand upon a more prominent pedestal.

Learn more about the design of the Statue of Freedom.

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Enslaved worker Philip Reid was paid directly for his work on Sundays; his owner received the payment for his work the other six days.

He was paid at $1.25 per day for “Keeping up fires under the moulds.” He signed his name with an "X".

Read more about Philip Reid's contribution to the Statue of Freedom.

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This daily payroll report lists names of those working on the Statue of Freedom, including enslaved laborer Philip Reid. Learn more about Reid's contribution to the Capitol.

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The foundry, located off Bladensburg Road S.E. near 26th Street and the railroad line, inside the District of Columbia, was used to cast the Statue of Freedom for the U.S. Capitol Dome.