When I have taken guests from out of the state to Ft. McHenry, I’ve often been aked to explain the statue you pass as you enter the park. Questions generally start with, “is that Francis Scott Key?”
Well it isn’t Key, but it is dedicated to him and to the soldiers and sailors of the Battle of North Point.
For more info, the NPS has a very informative fact sheet about this statue that was very obviously written in response to the number of people who just don’t get why that statue is there. You can find it here.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Jess // Aug 31, 2009 at 9:51 AM
Hmm. I wonder what Mrs. Key would think of that, were it actually Francis Scott Key.
(Was there a Mrs. Key?)
2 Jeff // Sep 9, 2009 at 7:00 AM
Sorry for responding so late to this, Jess. There was a Mrs. Key. Together they had two children, one of which he was with in Baltimore when he died.
One of my friends remaked to me about your comment, how funny it would be if people who came to town actually believed it were some sort of tradition to make naked statuary of our famous citizens. I’m sure many a family member would be upset. If I’m ever a tour guide at Ft. Mchenry, I’ll be sure to test the public’s reaction
Leave a Comment