Attraction
Statue of Liberty on Courthouse lawn
The Statue of Liberty in Washington, Kansas, is a copper replica located on the southwest corner of the Washington County Courthouse square. It is one of approximately 200 “Little Sisters of Liberty” produced in the mid-20th century.
History and Origin
- Boy Scouts Initiative: The statue was part of a national crusade titled “Strengthen the Arm of Liberty,” launched by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to celebrate their 40th anniversary.
- Production: Between 1949 and 1952, these copper replicas were manufactured and distributed to communities across 39 U.S. states and several territories.
- Kansas Connection: Kansas is home to at least 26 of these statues—more than almost any other state—due to the campaign being spearheaded by the Kansas City Boy Scout office.
Physical Features
- Dimensions: The replica stands approximately 8 feet, 4 inches tall (roughly 1/19th the size of the original in New York).
- Design: Like the original, the figure is draped in a gown and holds a torch in her right hand and a tablet in her left.
- Inscribed Plaque: The plaque is a 24″ by 24″ bronze marker affixed to the side of the miniature statue’s base. Its text typically honors “those who, believing in the noble cause of liberty and with everything to lose, fought courageously”
- The base typically features a dedication from the BSA pledging “everlasting fidelity and loyalty” to the freedoms of the United States.
- The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) plaque on the Statue of Liberty
in Washington, Kansas, is an America 250! Patriot Marker. Installed in early 2025 by the Kansas Society Daughters of the American Revolution (KSDAR), Northwest District, the plaque serves several specific purposes:
- Commemorating the Semiquicentennial: The marker celebrates the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States (1776–2026).
- Honoring Revolutionary War Patriots: It specifically recognizes the men and women who achieved American independence between 1775 and 1783.
- National Initiative: The installation is part of a broader DAR goal to place at least one such marker in every state before the 2026 national celebration.
- Promoting Patriotism: The marker is intended to foster community pride and remind current and future generations of the sacrifices made by the nation’s founders.
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