History of the Monument The Oglethorpe Monument Association was chartered by the Superior Court of Chatham County, May 18, 1901. This Association was formed by six representatives each, from the Georgia Society of Colonial Dames of America, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Society of Colonial Wars. Its object was to combine the efforts of these four patriotic societies toward raising the funds for the erection of a suitable memorial in Savannah to General James Edward Oglethorpe, the founder of the colony of Georgia. In the summer of 1905, the representatives from Chatham county in the Legislature took up the matter of securing state recognition and aid for the monument, and introduced a bill for the appropriation of $15,000 for the purpose. This appropriation was made by the Legislature in the summer of 1906, and a commission was appointed by the Governor to take charge of the work in the name of the state. The Commission consisted of Hon. J. Randolph Anderson, chairman, Hons. P. A. Stovall, A. A. Lawrence, Walter G. Charlton, P. W. Meldrim, J. H. Estill and Col. A. R. Lawton, of Savannah; Hons. R. E. Park, State Treasurer, Allen D. Candler and W. G. Cooper, all of Atlanta; Hon. Jos. R. Lamar, of Augusta, and Hon. H. F. Dunwoody, of Brunswick. The Commission entrusted the execution of the work to the celebrated sculptor, Daniel Chester French, who associated with him Mr. Henry Bacon, one of the most prominent architects of New York City. On May 10, 1909, the City of Savannah, on the application of the Commission, appropriated $15,000 to the monument, of which it was provided that $12,000 should be used for the erection of the monument, and $3,000 should be utilized in the preparation of the site and towards the expenses of the unveiling. The monument is now completed, and consists of a heroic statue of General Oglethorpe in bronze in the uniform of a British General of the period. The figure is about ten feet in height, and stands upon a pink-gray marble pedestal or die upon a base of the same material. The base is carved with garlands of flowers and of pine cones resting upon palmetto leaves, and is cornered by four lions rampant, each holding a shield. Upon one of these shields is carved the Coat of Arms of Oglethorpe, and upon the others the Coats of Arms or Great Seals of the Colony of Georgia, of the State of Georgia, and of the City of Savannah. The general design of the monument is Italian renaissance, and has a stone bench on either side. The northern and southern ends of the plot in which the monument stands are closed by an exhedra in Indiana limestone, backed by low shrubbery. [1734 Tomochichi and Tooanahowi painting] [Inscription is in German(?): “Portrait of Tomo-Chi-Chi at 91 [sic], with the nephew who was his adapted son, Tooanakowhi. Painted by Verelst in London during their stay there with Oglethorpe, whose successful establishment of the Georgia Colony was largely due to Tomo-Chi-Chi's friendship and loyalty.” [Digital Public Library of America https://dp.la/item/b64315ff5840f59ddd324096ba0c5445] [Memorial Seat of Oglethorpe, Savannah, Ga,] [Tomochichi Monument, Savannah, Ga.] OFFICIAL PROGRAM. WEDNESDAY MORNING, 11:30 O'CLOCK. INVOCATION, by Rt. Rev. F. F. Reese, Bishop of Georgia. ADDRESS, by Hon. J. Randolph Anderson, Chairman Oglethorpe Monument Commission, on the History of of the Monument. ADDRESS, by Acting British Ambassador, Hon A. Mitchell Innes. ADDRESS, by Hon. Walter G. Charlton, on the Life, Character and Services of Oglethorpe. UNVEILING OF THE MONUMENT, by His Excellency Joseph M. Brown, Governor of Georgia, assisted by the President of the Georgia Society of Colonial Dames of America. PARADE AND GRAND REVIEW OF TROOPS in Park Extension by the Governors of Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama; Sixteen Companies of U. S. Regulars, Forty Companies of State Troops, Three Companies of Blue Jackets, and Marines from U. S. Cruiser Birmingham. WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, 3 :00 O'CLOCK. (In Park Extension.) Cavalry Tilt. U. S. Regulars vs. Georgia Troops. Two Teams of Six Men, Eleventh U. S. Cavalry. Two Teams of Six Men, Georgia Hussars. Two Teams of Six Men, Liberty Independent Troop. One Team of Six Men, Governor's Horse Guards. WEDNESDAY EVENING, 8:15 O'CLOCK. (Athletic Park.) Military Rough Riders Exhibition and Spectacular Exercises. Cavalry Marching Drill, Bareback Hurdling, Roman Riding, etc., by selected troop of Eleventh Cavalry, U. S. A. Spectacular Exhibition Drill, Musical Drills, by Seventeenth Infantry, U. S. A. UNVEILING AND DEDICATION The day was an ideal one for the historic occasion. A cloudless autumnal sky showered the splendors of a soft Southern sun upon a scene of rare impressiveness and beauty. State and national flags, banners and gay bunting, lent an added charm to the rich foliage of crimson and gold, while brilliant military uniforms and handsome dress completed a picture worthy of a painter's brush. The monument itself in mute dignity, and veiled with the flags of Georgia and England united, rose from the centre of Chippewa square, and around its base were grouped the distinguished representatives of a sentiment which at last had found concrete expression from the hearts of an appreciative people in enduring marble and bronze. On the left was the Commission appointed by the state to execute the work. By their side sat the sculptor, Daniel Chester French, whose genius and artistic skill had created the bronze statue of Georgia's heroic founder, soon to be unveiled, and by his side was Mr. Henry Bacon, the architect who designed the marble and stone setting for the main figure itself. In front sat His Excellency, Joseph M. Brown, the Governor of Georgia with his staff, and by his side in appropriate position the Hon. A. Mitchell Innes, acting British Ambassador and representative of the Court of St. James. Governor B. B. Comer of Alabama with his staff fittingly represented Georgia's territorial daughter to the west. Hon. Augustus O. Bacon, Georgia's senior senator, and Hon. Joseph M. Terrell, the junior senator and former Governor, sat next, with Chancellor David C. Barrow of the University of Georgia, Hon. Charles G. Edwards, member of Congress, Col. Daniel C. Kingman of the U. S. Engineers, and other distinguished visitors. Back of these were grouped in reserved seats the Society of Colonial Dames of America, the Daughters of the American Revolution, The Sons of the Revolution, The Society of Colonial Wars, The Georgia Society of the Cincinnati, the Georgia Historical Society, representatives of the United Confederate Veterans, the Hibernia, Victoria, and St. Andrew's Societies; representatives of the Board of Trade, Chamber of Commerce, the Cotton Exchange, the Retail Merchants' Association; the General Committee of the Oglethorpe Monument Celebration, The Daughters of the Confederacy, the Board of Aldermen, the County Commissioners, the Park and Tree Commission, the City and County Officials, Solomon's Lodge of Masons, and many other guests. Around these were grouped the various military companies and thousands of citizens, completely filling the square and the adjacent streets. The gathering of these bodies amidst the strains of martial music was as inspiring as it was dignified and orderly. When all was in readiness the Hon. J. Randolph Anderson, the Chairman of the Commission, conducted to the platform the Rt. Rev. F. F. Reese, the Episcopal Bishop of Georgia, who, after calling upon all to stand and join in the Lord's Prayer, delivered the following invocation: INVOCATION. "Almighty God, who art the author and giver of all good things, and who dost govern all things in Heaven and earth, we give Thee hearty thanks for the spirit of brave adventure to which this state owes its birth, and especially for the courage and spirit of benevolence of thy servant, James Edward Oglethorpe, its founder, whom we commemorate this day. And we beseech Thee to accept and bless this memorial as the expression of our gratitude for his labor and sacrifice for the poor and unfortunate. Grant to all of us, the people of this state, who have entered into his labor and the labors of other men, that we may be so faithful to our trust as citizens of this commonwealth, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety may be established among us for all generations. And may Thy holy will be done and Thy kingdom come among us and among all the people of our land, to Thy glory and the everlasting salvation of all men; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen,"