Story's Henry

About 200 feet N. of the W. wing of the Smithsonian Institution Building, stands the semi-heroic bronze Statue of Prof. Joseph Henry, of N. Y., first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1846-'78, and investigator and discoverer in electricity and the magnetic telegraph. It was erected by Congress under A. June 1, 1880, executed by W. W. Story, is 9' high, cast by Nelli, in Rome, weight, 4,000 lbs., and cost $15,000. It represents the subject attired in the Academic gown, the left hand resting on a volume lying on a plinth. The pedestal consists of a base and cap of axed Quincy grey, and an octagonal plinth of polished Maine Red Beach Granite; is 8' high, and cost $982. The Statue was unveiled April 19, 1883, in the presence of the three daughters of Prof. Henry, the Chancellor and Regents of the Institution, and members of the three great branches of the Government, the Diplomatic Corps, Officers of the Army and Navy, Scientists, Men of Letters, and a vast assemblage of the people. Orator, Noah Porter, President of Yale College. Music by the Marine Band and the English and German Choral Societies of the Capital.