All About the George Rogers Clark Memorial in Vincennes, Indiana

Introduction

The George Rogers Clark Memorial is a historical monument located in Vincennes, Indiana. It was built to honor George Rogers Clark, an American Revolutionary War hero famous for leading the capture of the British posts in the Western frontier. The memorial stands over the tomb of George Rogers Clark and provides an overview of his life and accomplishments through a series of large murals and statues.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at this impressive memorial, including its history, the meaning behind its murals, fun facts, and frequently asked questions. Digital News Planet provides an in-depth exploration of this iconic landmark commemorating a key figure in early American history.

Overview of the George Rogers Clark Memorial

• The memorial was built from 1929 to 1933 for 1 million dollars.
• It stands over 90 feet tall and 190 feet wide, making it one of the largest monuments west of the Allegheny Mountains.
• The interior features a 65-foot tall rotunda and crypt holding George Rogers Clark’s remains.
• A series of murals by Ezra Winter depicts Clark’s famous expeditions during the Revolutionary War.
• It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1966.

History of the George Rogers Clark Memorial

• Clark passed away in 1818 and was originally buried at Locust Grove Cemetery in Kentucky.
• In the late 1800s, his remains were moved to a cemetery in Cave Hill, Kentucky.
• The idea for a memorial monument started circulating after a 1925 reburial ceremony in Cave Hill attended by President Calvin Coolidge.
• In 1927, the Indiana General Assembly approved funding and selected a site for the memorial in Vincennes, Indiana.
• Ground was broken in 1929 and the memorial was dedicated on February 25, 1933.

The Murals Inside the Memorial

One of the most striking features inside the George Rogers Clark Memorial is the 19 murals painted by Ezra Winter. These large murals depict key events and figures from the Revolutionary War campaigns of George Rogers Clark:

• A set of 12 murals shows Clark’s famous expedition to capture British-held posts in the Old Northwest.
• Additional murals portray Clark negotiating peace treaties with Native Americans and early scenes from the settlement of Kentucky.
• The murals utilize bright colors and a Social Realism style popular at the time. Winter conducted extensive historical research before designing and painting the murals.
• The rotunda’s dome features portraits of important figures from the Revolutionary War like George Washington.
• Taken together, the murals provide a visual overview of Clark’s pioneering expeditions deep into the frontier.

Why Was the Memorial Built in Vincennes?

Given that Clark passed away and was originally buried in Kentucky, some may wonder why the large memorial to him was ultimately built across the border in Indiana. There are several reasons:

• Vincennes was the site of Fort Sackville, a pivotal British fort captured by Clark during the Revolutionary War. This victory helped shift control of the frontier to the Americans.
• As one of Clark’s largest military achievements, his capture of Fort Sackville in Vincennes held symbolic importance.
• Indiana offered funding support for the ambitious $1 million project during a time when Kentucky did not have the budget.
• Vincennes already hosted a large statue of Clark donated by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1928. Building the memorial there capitalized on existing Clark recognition.
• Locating the memorial in Vincennes, IN highlighted Clark’s importance beyond just Kentucky – he was truly an American frontier hero.

George Rogers Clark Memorial Fun Facts

Beyond the history and artwork, here are some fascinating facts about the George Rogers Clark Memorial:

• Over 5 million bricks were used to construct the memorial. All those bricks laid end to end would stretch 180 miles!
• The memorial is only about 100 yards away from the actual site of Fort Sackville, Clark’s famous captured British post.
• Each of the murals inside the rotunda is a massive undertaking – the largest is 56 feet long by 12 feet high!
• Ezra Winter had to design special hollow scaffolding so he could paint on the inside of the memorial dome, 65 feet above the floor.
• The memorial grounds feature a granite statue of Clark by sculptor Hermon Atkins MacNeil, dedicated in 1928.
• An eternal flame was added in 1955 to honor all veterans from Indiana. It is illuminated by natural gas.

Why George Rogers Clark is an Important Figure in Early American History

As evidenced by the grand memorial in his honor, George Rogers Clark played a vital role in the early history of the United States. Here is an overview of his major contributions:

• Clark led daring military expeditions into the frontier, bringing huge swaths of territory under American control through victories against British and Native American forces.
• His conquest of the Illinois Country nearly doubled the territorial size of the new United States after the Revolutionary War.
• Clark’s frontier diplomacy and peace treaties with tribes like the Piankeshaw opened the Northwest Territory for American settlement.
• As a skilled military leader and strategist, his frontier campaigns helped the Colonists ultimately win the Revolutionary War.
• Along with Daniel Boone, Clark was one of the most legendary pioneers and frontiersmen responsible for expanding the young United States westward.
• His influence extended beyond just military feats – Clark also helped establish new government and infrastructure as the region developed.

Thanks to courageous pioneers and soldiers like George Rogers Clark, the new American republic was able to dramatically expand west of the Appalachian Mountains in the late 18th century. The George Rogers Clark Memorial in Vincennes, Indiana pays tribute to this instrumental figure in Colonial America and the Revolutionary War.

The memorial is located in Vincennes, Indiana, on the banks of the Wabash River. This is in Knox County in the southwestern region of Indiana.