The Washington Historical Society is pleased to bring the Seward Johnson sculpture, “Return Visit” to Washington. Working in conjunction with private donors, the Historical Society brought “Return Visit” to Washington in November 2020 for a limited time. The 32-foot bronze sculpture is a representation of President Abraham sharing the words of the Gettysburg Address with a Modern Man. It is an enlarged version of Seward Johnson’s original work of art commissioned for Gettysburg Plaza in Pennsylvania. The original life-scale sculpture stands near the historic Wills House in Gettysburg, the house where Lincoln finished writing the Gettysburg Address before delivering the speech at the dedication of The Soldier’s National Cemetery on November 19, 1863. Many historians consider Lincoln’s speech at Gettysburg to be the most inspiring speech ever given. It concludes with stressing that all of us are responsible for taking up the cause of what men like Abraham Lincoln fought for. It motivated the country forward during the devastation of the Civil War and the eventual abolishment of slavery. 

The sculpture is located on Wilmor Road between Five Points and the Fire Station. “Return Visit” is on loan from the Seward Johnson Atelier, an organization incorporated to promote the appreciation of, and education about, sculpture and public art in general, primarily through the creation, maintenance, sales, and public placement of Seward Johnson’s artwork. For more information about Seward Johnson, please go to www.sewardjohnsonatelier.org.