Maria Sanford Statue in US Capitol

Maria Sanford Statue in US Capitol WWP

Photo credit - WWP team

A bronze statue of Maria Sanford holding a book standing as if she is lecturing in a class stands in the US Capitol Visitor Center Emancipation Hall. It was given to the National Statuary Hall Collection by Minnesota in 1958, commemorating Sanford’s legacy and contribution.

Maria Sanford (1836-1920) grew up and started her teaching career in Connecticut, teaching at local schools and studying at the Connecticut Normal School. At 31, she moved to Pennsylvania to work as a school principal, and two years later, Sanford got hired as a history professor at Swarthmore College, PA, becoming one of the first female professors in the US. At 44, Sanford accepted a tenure position at the University of Minnesota, teaching rhetoric, elocution, literature, and art history for nearly thirty years. In addition to being a university professor, she coached teachers on new teaching methods, founded parent-teacher organizations, gave public speeches, and advocated for multiple causes, such as women’s rights, education of blacks, adult education, healthcare, and environmental preservation.

The Minnesota sculptress Evelyn Raymond got the commission to create the statue. Besides sculpturing, Raymond also taught and led the sculpture department at the Walker Art Center and founded the Minnesota Sculpture Society.

Connecticut in the Capitol: Maria Sanford Statue

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Connecticut in the Capitol: Maria Sanford Statue

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