Caesar Rodney Statue to Temporarily Display in Washington D.C.

Wilmington's statue of the historic figure will be part of 250th anniversary celebration of the Declaration of Independence.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Caesar Rodney statue, formerly displayed in downtown Wilmington's Rodney Square, will be temporarily moved to Washington D.C. to be exhibited among other statues honoring the country's founders as part of the 250-year celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The National Park Service reached out to the city of Wilmington and requested to borrow the statue, which the city agreed to.

Why it matters

The Caesar Rodney statue was previously removed from public display in Wilmington in 2020 during a nationwide reckoning on race and history, due to Rodney's history as a slaveowner. Its temporary relocation to Washington D.C. raises questions about how historical figures with complex legacies are memorialized.

The details

The statue will be displayed in Washington's Freedom Plaza, according to Republican state Sen. Eric Buckson. Wilmington owns the statue, but the city is not using any public money for its transportation to D.C. An exact transfer date is unknown. Officials have inspected the statue and determined it does not need maintenance before the move.

  • The Caesar Rodney statue was removed from Wilmington's Rodney Square in 2020.
  • The National Park Service reached out to the city of Wilmington in 2026 to request borrowing the statue.

The players

John Carney

The mayor of Wilmington, Delaware.

Daniel Walker

The Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor John Carney.

Mike Purzycki

The former mayor of Wilmington who oversaw the removal of the Caesar Rodney statue in 2020.

Eric Buckson

A Republican state senator representing Kent County, Delaware, who has been trying to bring the Caesar Rodney statue back on display.

Caesar Rodney

An American Revolutionary War leader from Delaware who famously rode through a thunderstorm to cast the decisive vote for independence in 1776.

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What they’re saying

“They asked about Cesar Rodney, if they could borrow it, we said sure.”

— Daniel Walker, Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor John Carney

What’s next

An exact transfer date for the Caesar Rodney statue to be moved from Wilmington to Washington D.C. is unknown.

The takeaway

The temporary relocation of the Caesar Rodney statue to Washington D.C. highlights the ongoing debate around how to memorialize historical figures with complex legacies, and the role that public spaces play in shaping collective memory.