Peace Monument

The original idea for the monument was conceived by Admiral David Dixon Porter who was the commander of a fleet of boats during the Civil War. Porter made the first design for the statue and spent time raising money to erect the monument from private donors. Dixon had a simpler idea for the statue in 1865 that only involved two figures. This idea would eventually evolve into what viewers see today in a complex monument with several figures and objects of meaning.  

The monument is a neoclassical Civil War monument designed and created by sculptor Frank Simmons. Simmons was born in Maine and was known for his portrait busts. Simmons sculpted the Peace Monument as well as several other pieces for display at the United States Capitol. The monument was placed in remembrance of the members of the United States Navy that perished in battle in defense of the Union from 1861-1865.

The first thing a visitor of the monument will notice is the unique location of the monument as it sits inside Peace Circle surrounded by water. A visitor will also observe how the monument towers from above standing at 44 feet tall. The monument is made of marble from Carrera Italy where it was sculpted by Simmons. Once finished and shipped to the United States the monument was placed on a base of Maine blue granite.

 The top of the monument has two robed women. One of the woman (Grief) holds her head on the others (History) shoulder while weeping in mourning. History holds a tablet that is inscribed with the words "They died that their country might live." Below Grief and History is another figure of a woman who holds a laurel wreath high and an oak branch as symbols of strength. This figure is Victory.  Further down on the monument visitors will see the figures of infant Neptune and infant Mars. Infant Mars is the God of War while infant Neptune is the God of Sea. On the opposite side, another figure of a woman stands only covered from the waist down holding a olive sprig. This woman is Peace. The monument has several other symbols of peace and industry to include a sickle resting across a sword and a dove that is since missing nesting on a sheaf of wheat. Symbols of literature, science and art also appear on the statue in the shapes of a book, gear, angle and pair of dividers.