Hahnemann Monument
Hahnemann Monument
HISTORY OF THE MONUMENT
On 21 June 1900, the American Institute of Homeopathy celebrated the successful surmounting of the triple challenge of selecting the sculptor, acquiring the legislation, and amassing the funds for our memorial to Hahnemann with the splendid public dedication of the Hahnemann Monument at Scott Circle, NW, Washington, DC. Graced by the presence of many government dignitaries, including U.S.President William Mc Kinley, himself, as well as the "President’s Own" Marine Corps Band, the ceremony marked the presentation of this artistically stunning bronze and granite edifice to the people of the United States by the American Institute of Homeopathy.
Dr. James H. Mc Clelland of Pittsburgh having first proposed the monument at a meeting of the Homeopathic Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania in 1881, persuaded the American Institute of Homeopathy to undertake the project in June, 1892, at their 45th Session in Washington, DC. While the AIH led the way, the entire homeopathic community supported the effort. Amounts as little as twenty-five cents were given. The single largest individual donation came from Nancy T. Williams, MD, of Augusta, ME, who contributed $4510.00.
Under the advice and auspices of the National Sculptor Society, the AIH Monument Committee mounted a contest which resulted in the unanimous selection from 30 international entrants of Charles Henry Niehaus of Cincinnati, Ohio, trained in Munich and Rome, as the winning sculptor. The architect was Julius F. Harder of New York City.
Critics have said of this prize winning monument (Gold Medal at the Pan American Exposition) the following: "The National Sculptor Society examined and reported favorably upon the artistic merits of the bronze statue of Hahnemann and the reliefs...I congratulate your Committee..." J.Q.A.Ward, Pres.
National Sculptor Society, 1898. "...finest work...equaled by few others in the country." Charles Coffin, 1913. "A similar strength and adequacy of conception characterizes the statue of Samuel Hahnemann, discoverer of Homeopathy, for the memorial monument in Washington, considered the most effective seated statue ever produced." National Cyclopedia of Biography.
REDEDICATION: JUNE 2000
On 21 June 2000, the American Institute of Homeopathy hosted Homeopathy 2000: Rededication and Celebration in Washington, DC. At 3:00PM, joined by the Marine Corps Brass Quintet, an Armed Forces Color Guard, several state and regional homeopathic societies, and sister homeopathic organizations, the AIH rededicated the Hahnemann Monument before an enthusiastic crowd. It was a once in a life time experience.
On that joyous occasion, however, it became apparent that this beautiful and venerable monument needs repairs. Specifically, the mosaic in the arch above Hahnemann’s head is crumbling. If we wait on the US government to achieve these needed repairs it will be a long wait as this monument must compete with other more popular monuments, such as the Washington Monument, for few budgetary dollars.
We hope that you will want to become a part of homeopathic history by supporting the fund drive to restore the Hahnemann Monument. Our goal is $30,000.00, not so much, when one considers that it cost the AIH $75, 000.00 (in 1900 year dollars) to erect the monument in the first place.
