Behold the Beauty: George Washington’s Centennial Arch

BY Lorraine Ferrier TIMEApril 5, 2026 PRINT

The south façade of Washington Square Arch in Washington Square Park, New York City. The marble arch commemorates the 100th anniversary of George Washington’s inauguration. (Devadvance/CC BY-SA 3.0)

In 1889, architect Stanford White made a wooden triumphal arch for New York’s Washington Square Park to celebrate the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration at the city’s Federal Hall. The temporary arch, topped with a wooden sculpture of the first president, was decorated with classical motifs made of papier-mâché and plaster.

The centennial arch was deemed so impressive that White was commissioned to make a permanent monument in the park. Dedicated on May 4, 1895, the permanent Washington Square Arch, made of marble, stands 73 feet, 6 inches tall.

Inspired by Roman triumphal arches and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, White’s arch is adorned with allegorical figures and classical motifs, reflected throughout, and in the reliefs sculpted by Frederick MacMonnies.

The north façade of Washington Square Arch in Washington Square Park, New York City. — The north façade of the Washington Square Arch in Washington Square Park, New York City. (Ed Ruth Photo/Shutterstock)

Two large American eagle sculptures by Philip Martiny appear to guard the area from their north and south perches above the keystones.

On the north façade of the arch are two 16-foot sculptures of Washington. “Washington as Commander-in-Chief, Accompanied by Fame and Valor,” installed in 1916 by Hermon MacNeil, shows a calm and composed Washington flanked by the relief sculptures of Fame and Valor. Fame carries a trumpet to announce herself and holds a palm branch for peace, while Valor holds a sword; the oak leaves behind him symbolize courage.

“Washington as President, Accompanied by Wisdom and Justice,” 1918, by Alexander Stirling Calder. Marble; 16 feet tall. (Juan Ignacio Kinder/Shutterstock)

The second sculpture, “Washington as President, Accompanied by Wisdom and Justice,” installed in 1918 by Alexander Stirling Calder, shows Washington poised as if he’s about to address his public. He stands before the relief sculptures of Wisdom and Justice. Wisdom holds a scroll to her chest and the handle of Justice’s ax, perhaps suggesting that justice and wisdom must work in tandem. Justice holds the traditional scales and a book open to Washington’s motto: “Exitus acta probat” (“Judge me by the results of my actions.”) High above them on the arch is the Great Seal of the United States.

On top of the south façade of the arch are Washington’s words:

“Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair. The event is in the hand of God.”

What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to features@epochtimes.nyc

Lorraine Ferrier

Lorraine Ferrier writes about fine arts and craftsmanship for The Epoch Times. She focuses on artists and artisans, primarily in North America and Europe, who imbue their works with beauty and traditional values. She's especially interested in giving a voice to the rare and lesser-known arts and crafts, in the hope that we can preserve our traditional art heritage. She lives and writes in a London suburb, in England.