Controversy grows after Wilmington mayor sends historic statue to Ohio

Delaware Controversy grows after Wilmington mayor sends historic statue to Ohio The 18-foot-tall statue stood in Wilmington for 131 years before Mayor John Carney sent it to Ohio, prompting questions about transparency and city property. By Tim Furlong • Published 44 minutes ago • Updated 23 minutes ago An 18-foot-tall statue of former President James Garfield that called Wilmington, Del., home for 131 years is now in Ohio, and some residents are questioning whether the city followed the proper process before giving it away. Wilmington Mayor John Carney sent the statue to Hiram, Ohio, where Garfield once lived and attended college. The city also paid thousands of dollars to have it shipped there. Stream Philadelphia News for free, 24/7, wherever you are with NBC10. WATCH HERE But some Wilmington residents and preservationists say the decision wasn't transparent, and they want the statue returned to Delaware. The statue previously stood in Garfield Triangle Park, where its concrete base now sits empty. While the park is identified on Google Maps, there is no sign marking its name at the park itself or explaining the history of the former president. "No one knew, there was no placard or anything he was just standing there," said Stu Freeman, who lives near the park. Garfield, the nation's 20th president, died in 1881, a couple of months after being shot in an assassination attempt. His death was mourned by Americans for years. Local preservationist John Medkeff says Garfield's legacy extends beyond his presidency. Local Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. First Alert Weather 3 hours ago Sunshine and mild temperatures give way to a wet, windy end to the week Philadelphia 17 minutes ago Report details previous abuse allegations against Carprice Williams "He was a civil war general aside from being president, he was an abolitionist and a lawyer and preacher and deserved to be remembered a hundred years ago civil war veterans and citizens of Wilmington thought it was worth remembering," Medkeff said. The controversy began after the Wilmington City Council member representing the area requested the statue's removal as part of plans to remake the park. Carney subsequently sent the statue to Hiram, where the local historical society is planning a celebration for its new addition on Sunday. A Wilmington city spokesperson told NBC10 that Carney had the authority to make the decision on his own. According to the spokesperson, Carney believes the statue is moving from a place of obscurity to a location with deeper connections to Garfield's legacy. But Medkeff and other residents question whether the mayor should have made the decision without a more public process. "I can understand why they'd be excited to take a statue for free but it does belong here in Wilmington there are plenty of spots for it," Medkeff said. Medkeff maintains that Wilmington still owns the statue and believes there were other options for keeping it in the city. "Action was probably innocent and well intentioned but there's a process that simply wasn't followed," Medkeff said. "If they simply asked around we could have found another spot for the statue elsewhere in the city," he added. While some residents want Garfield returned, others are more focused on making the park a clean and safe place for the neighborhood. "Maybe they should replace it with someone from here," Freeman said. "Dedicate it a dog or something but do something for it," he added. NBC10 reached out to the Wilmington City Council member who pushed for the statue's removal and the mayor of Hiram, Ohio, but did not receive responses. For now, Garfield Triangle Park remains without the statue that stood in Wilmington for more than a century, while questions about its removal continue. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication. This article tagged under: Delaware Wilmington