Greene Publishing, Inc. Photo By Rick Patrick, October 21, 2016
The Four Freedoms Monument commemorates the four fundamental freedoms that President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke of in his Jan. 6, 1941 State of the Union address.
Greene Publishing, Inc. Photo By Rick Patrick, October 21, 2016
Historic marker for the Four Freedoms Monument in Four Freedoms Park.
Rick Patrick - Greene Publishing, Inc.
Madison is very fortunate to have a beautiful gem right in the middle of town. With stately, moss draped oak trees providing shade and respite on a warm day, Four Freedoms Park invites anyone passing by to stop and soak in the natural beauty. Among the oak trees and azaleas are several monuments that give a slice of Madison County history.
Most notable among these monuments is the one that gives the park its namesake; the Four Freedoms Monument located in the southwest corner of the park. The monument with its four angels depicting the four fundamental freedoms espoused by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during his State of the Union speech on Jan. 6, 1941. The four freedoms Roosevelt spoke about were freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. Following his speech, Roosevelt had the monument commissioned. Roosevelt felt that through the arts, a greater number of people could be inspired to appreciate the concept of the four freedoms.
The statue was created by sculptor Walter Russell later in 1941. It was dedicated in 1943 before a crowd of 60,000 in Madison Square Garden in New York City and was dedicated to Madison native, Colin P. Kelly, one of the first U.S. heroes of World War II. The monument was later moved to Madison and was re-dedicated on June 14, 1944. Florida Governor Spessard Holland was one of the featured speakers at that ceremony.
There are several other monuments to be found in Four Freedoms Park. These other monuments will be the subjects of future history stories.