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Francis Asbury
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| Location: | NW. Washington, D.C. |
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| Built: | 1924 |
| Architect: | Augustus Lukeman |
| Governing body: | National Park Service |
| NRHP Reference#: | 07001052 [1] |
| Added to NRHP: | October 11, 2007 [2] |
Francis Asbury, also known as the Francis Asbury Memorial, is a public equestrian statue, by American artist Augustus Lukeman, located at 16th Street and Mt. Pleasant Street, Northwest, Washington, D.C., in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood.
It was originally surveyed as part of the Smithsonian's Save Outdoor Sculpture! survey in 1994.
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This bronze sculpture features Francis Asbury seated upon his horse wearing a cape and hat. In his proper right hand he holds a bible. The horse is bending its head down to lick its left leg. The sculpture sits on a granite base (approx. 100 in. x 140 in. x 200 in.). On the proper left side of the sculpture, near the base, it is signed "Augustus Lukeman Sc 1921."
The sculpture is inscribed on the front of the base:
FRANCIS ASBURY
1745-1816
PIONEER
METHODIST BISHOP
IN AMERICA
On the left side of the base it is inscribed:
HIS CONTINUOUS JOURNEY THROUGH CITIES
VILLAGES AND SETTLEMENTS FROM 1771 TO 1816
GREATLY PROMOTED PATRIOTISM EDUCATION MORALITY
AND RELIGION IN THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC
Act of Congress
On the right side of the base it is inscribed:
IF YOU SEEK FOR THE RESULTS OF HIS LABOR
YOU WILL FIND THEM
IN OUR CHRISTIAN CIVILIZATION[3]
And on the back of the base it is inscribed:
THE PROPHET
OF THE LONG ROAD[4]
The sculpture was founded by Roman Bronze Works in New York City.[3] The piece was erected by the Francis Asbury Memorial Foundation and was approved by Congress on February 29, 1919. It was dedicated on October 15, 1924 and cost $50,000.[5]
This sculpture was surveyed in 1994 for its condition and was described as "well maintained."[3]