Philip Reid Saves the Statue of Freedom (Hardcover)
Forgotten True Story of an American Born Slave who Helped Create the Capitol Building’s Statute of Freedom
I have never been a person to take things at face value which is not easy. It is so much easier to not go against the grain, to not speak out when that little voice in the back of your head screams at you for being a coward and just going with the flow. Why make things more difficult for yourself? If I could tell you WHY my brain doesn’t work that way, I would. Call it being inquisitive or just plain annoying; I like to understand things even if it isn’t always pleasant. Sure, it is much easier to go with the herd, but not everyone can feel good about doing it. Take history, for example, we know there were many terrible things that happened to humans because they looked, thought or acted differently. It still happens all over the globe; whether it is gender, skin color or sexual orientation. Philip Reid, an American born African-American slave, was no exception.
FACT: Philip Reid was one of the most significant contributions by an African American slave in the construction of the Capitol.
FACT: Reid worked most weeks without a break between July 1, 1860, and May 16, 1861 although he only received compensation himself on Sundays.
A man born into slavery, Reid grew up on a South Carolina farm with many skills under his belt such as a blacksmith and potter. He was sold to a man who has a foundry in D.C. that was contracted to cast the Freedom statute. Philip Reid was the man who solved a jeopardizing issue to help save the problem of placing the statue on the Capitol Building despite long hours, almost no pay and was the only slave working on the project. When the project was complete in 1863, the bronze statue of freedom was placed atop of the US Capitol Building. Amazing! So, remember, the next time you are in D.C., take a look at the US Capitol Building and remember, despite all odds, Philip Reid made a huge difference in our national monument as a slave. That, my friends, is an amazing story and the story of our past. Luckily, it has an even happier ending when you learn that Reid gained his freedom before the final construction was completed and was very successful in his future endeavors. Yes, humans can endure despite these unfortunate historical injustice of treatment of others. Philip is an inspiration to so many and a great read for children who do not know his history. Next time you are in DC, take your child and talk to them about Philip’s accomplishments and how, in the end, he was able to gain what we know of as the ‘American Dream’.
Note: Philip Reid received his freedom on April 16, 1862 when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act. Author S.D. Wyeth wrote in The Federal City in 1865, “Mr. Reed, the former slave, is now in business for himself, and highly esteemed by all who know him.”
Philip Reid Saves the Statue of Freedom (Hardcover)
List Price: $ 16.99
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