Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Statue Of Governor With Pro-Slavery Views Displaced From Congress Will Stay Up In Chillicothe Museum

rosscountyhistoricalsociety.tumblr.com
The statue of Gov. William Allen (1874-1876) is on display at the Ross County Historical Society.

One of the two statues representing Ohio in Congress’ Statuary Hall was removed last year because of its subject’s views on slavery. With the current focus on the removal of Confederate statues, there are some questions about what happens to it now.

The statue of Democratic Gov. William Allen, who served from 1874 to 1876, represented Ohio in Statuary Hall starting in 1887. But Allen’s pro-slavery views led lawmakers to vote to replace the statue in 2012. Last year it was moved to Chillicothe, where Allen died in 1879. Chillicothe mayor Luke Feeney is also a Democrat, and he says the statue will stay at the Ross County Historical Society.

“From being on display in the Capitol to in a museum where it’s not as prominently displayed, it’s not as much of an honoring of the man as it is a reflection of our history.”

Allen’s statue wasreplaced with one of inventor Thomas Edison, who was chosen in a statewide contest.

Contact Karen at 614-578-6375 or at kkasler@statehousenews.org.
Related Content