Across The Fence: Freedom

One hundred and fifty years ago on December 2, 1863 the bronze sculpture of "Freedom Triumphant Over War and Peace" was hoisted to the top of the United States Capitol building in Washington DC. A 35-gun salute boomed across the Capitol grounds and echoed back to the assembled crowd from each of the twelve forts that surrounded and protected the home of liberty and justice.

"Freedom," as she is called, was designed by American born artist and sculptor Thomas Crawford in 1855. Her journey, from disputed design to her lofty perch above the halls of democracy, involved perilous maritime travels,...