Independent Man will get privacy during restoration at R.I. National Guard Armory

Having descended from his perch atop the Rhode Island State House in early December, the Independent Man is again making moves, bound for a more private setting for restoration, Gov. Dan McKee announced on Wednesday.

He’s not going far. 

Heavier than he looks, Independent Man comes down for restoration

The 14-foot, gold-plated statue will travel on Jan. 8 from the State House lobby to the Rhode Island National Guard Armory building on North Main Street. The monthslong restoration process includes cleaning, repair and reapplication of the gold leaf work removed during his last touchdown to Earth in 1975.

 “After decades of weathering storms, blizzards and hurricanes, the Independent Man is getting a much needed touch-up to restore him to his original glory,” McKee said in a statement. “Preserving this important piece of our state’s history would not be possible without the support from the Rhode Island National Guard, and we’re grateful for their assistance.”

Restoration work will be led by Rhode Island School of Design graduate and nationally recognized conservator Mark Rabinowitz, who also worked on the U.S. Capitol and Jefferson Memorial. The state is finalizing a contract with Rabinowitz, though details were not immediately available on Wednesday to determine if there was an open, competitive solicitation or the state pursued another option such as sole source procurement or emergency contract award.

Rabinowitz declined to comment Wednesday, referring inquiries to the state.

Rabinowitz, president and principal conservator of EverGreene Architectural Arts, worked as a subcontractor on the $2.2 million State House cleaning and restoration project that began in July 2023. It was through the broader restoration project that the state learned about damage done to the dome holding the Independence Man, necessitating his temporary removal.

The 800-pound statute will remain open for public viewing inside the main entrance to the State House through Jan. 5. The transport, via hand-crafted, padded cradle and flatbed truck, and subsequent restoration work, will not be open to the public for safety and security reasons.