Thayer Monument

Thayer Monument
United States
Thayer monument at West Point
For Sylvanus Thayer
Unveiled	June 11, 1883 [1]
Location	41°23′37″N 073°57′32″W / 41.39361°N 73.95889°WCoordinates: 41°23′37″N 073°57′32″W / 41.39361°N 73.95889°W[2] near Highland Falls, New York
Designed by	Carl Conrads
"Colonel Thayer: Father of the Military Academy"

Thayer Monument is a white granite monument and statue of Sylvanus Thayer at the United States Military Academy, designed by sculptor Carl Conrads and unveiled on June 11, 1883.^[1][3][4] Thayer is known as the "Father of the Military Academy" for the profound and lasting impact of his superintendency during the academy's early years. The monument's location has changed over the years. It first occupied the southwest corner of the Plain, but it currently sits at the intersection of Washington and Jefferson roads, adjacent to the Beat Navy tunnel on the northwest corner of the Plain.^[1] The memorial is the sight of multiple memorial ceremonies during the year as West Point reunions hold a parade and memorial service at the site. Tradition states that the oldest living graduate of the senior reunion class present will lay a wreath at the statue.

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  Thayer statue at sunset
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  Monument in early spring
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  Original location in front of the old gymnasium
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  Original location, pre-1910

References

1. "Big Guns at West Point" (PDF). The New York Times. June 12, 1883. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
2. "Sylanus Thayer, West Point NY, Waymark". Waymarking.com. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
3. "Thayer Monument, (sculpture)". Inventory of American Sculpture, Smithsonian Institution Research Information System. Smithsonian American Art Museum.
4. "Projects". Aegis Restauro. Retrieved 2009-03-08.