MYTHS AND MONUMENTS: ALLEGORICAL FIGURES INFLUENCING THE NATION

We most often think of Uncle Sam as a symbol representing the United States, but long before him, women served the nation as allegorical figures or heroes. These seemingly embodiments of national personification served to shape and unify the culture, give directions about events and build patriotism. Most often allegorical figures such as Columbia, who appeared as a goddess, were endowed with virtues of liberty, wisdom and justice. Citizens would develop a trust in their messages as seen in cartoons, artwork, propaganda and in monuments designed to enhance ideals of freedom and democracy in Ohio and the greater United States.

Jann K. Adams is native to Marietta and a local historian who has written articles for the Marietta Times and The Tallow Light, the quarterly journal of the Washington County Historical Society. She has two published books, Behind the Doors of Historic Marietta and German Marietta and Washington County.

This event is sponsored by the Washington County Public Library and is FREE and open to the public and livestreamed/recorded on our YouTube Channel: @CampusMartiusMuseum