Sculptures of Springfield: The Puritan (Deacon Samuel Chapin)

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The Puritan (Deacon Samuel Chapin)

Springfield, MA

Topic: Sculptures of Springfield

GPS: N42° 06.179; W072° 35.105

Quick Description: 

The Puritan statue  in Springfield is the original version of this popular sculpture by Augustus Saint Gaudens.

Long Description:

In 1881, Chester W. Chapin, a railroad tycoon and congressman, commissioned the renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens create a bronze likeness of his ancestor, Deacon Samuel Chapin (1595–1675), one of the three founders of Springfield, MA.

The statue was so popular with the public that Saint-Gaudens decided to produce smaller scale versions of this work under the title "The Puritan". He correctly surmised that this would be an excellent source of addition income. Today more than 25 slightly altered copies of this work can be found in museums, art galleries, universities, and private collections around the world.

This impressive sculpture of the The Puritan can be found outside the main Springfield Library in Merrick Park on the northeast corner of State and Chestnut Streets. The architect for the project was Stanford White, the statue was cast in bronze at the Bureau Brothers foundry and dedicated on November 27, 1887. The sculpture is approximately 12 feet high; The base is made of New Brunswick granite and is approximately 5 feet high and 6 feet in diameter. The sculpture is administered by City of Springfield.

The base is inscribed:

1595 Anno Domini 1675

Deacon Samuel Chapin

One Of The Founders Of Springfield

LOCATION:
Merrick Park
State and Chestnut Streets
Springfield, MA 01109