Gettysburg Sculptures

Roland Hinton Perry

Born: January 25, 1870

Died: October 28, 1941

R. Hinton Perry was born in New York City and at the age of 19 would travel to France and study art at the Ecoles des Beaux-Arts. At the age of 21, Perry would study sculpting at the Academie Julian and Eugene Delecluse. After returning to the United States he would be granted several major commisions. The subject of his first bronze statue at Gettysburg would be that of General George S. Greene dedicated on September 26, 1907.

 Perry would again be asked to submit a preliminary sketch of the proposed design for the Wadsworth monument.  After review, Perry would be awarded a contract on January 19th, 1912. By the terms of the contract Perry agreed to furnish a full size plaster model, nine feet high, for the portrait statue. The details for the remainder of the monument including a bronze drum measuring four feet in diameter and three feet in height with inscriptions were also to be included. On April 21, 1913 the plaster model of Wadsworth was approved. With the completion of the plaster model it was sent to the Gorham Company for final casting. After casting in Providence, Rhode Island the finished bronze statue was approved on April 19, 1914. The pedestal was designed by Edward P. Casey, architect of New York. The National Granite Company of Montpelier Vermont would complete the pedestal and have it shipped to Gettysburg. The setting of the pedestal was completed on August 3, 1914 with the bronze statue being installed the following day, August 4, 1914. Final cost for the monument was $7,788.28. 

The Wadsworth Monument located at Gettysburg Pennsylvania is now nearing 100 years old. The National Park Service does an outstanding job of maintaining these works of art.

The Official Dedication Party at the Wadsworth Monument, October 6, 1914. In the front row with his legs crossed is the son of General Wadsworth, Major James W. Wadsworth, U.S. Vols.