The sculpture was modeled in 1885, cast in bronze in 1940, and dedicated on September 22 of that year. The statue rests on a Milford pink granite base designed by Y. Lovell Little and Raymond A. Porter.
Twenty-three-year-old Cyrus Dallin won a competition for the sculpture in 1885 beating out two other finalists: Daniel Chester French and James E. Kelly of New York. Other famous sculptors competed including Thomas Ball. The day following the award French visited Dallin and congratulated him on the award.[3] Boston Mayor Hugh Obrien's signed contract confirmed the award.[3] Dallin executed several versions of the sculpture during the interim period and version number 6 is on display in the Cyrus Dallin Art Museum. In 2024, the Museum installed a version of number 5 on a pedestal on the grounds. But due to a variety of circumstances, the final version would not be installed for over 50 years.
Paul Revere Statue Model Number 6 at the Cyrus Dallin Art Museum
At the age of 79 Dallin's project went forward when the George Robert White Fund Trustees accepted Dallin's model for casting and appropriated $27,500 for its execution in bronze. It was cast at the T. F. McGann Foundry in Somerville.[4]
At the 1940 dedication event James F. O'Connell, manager of the White Fund presented the statue to the Mayor of Boston, Maurice J. Tobin. The Mayor then introduced Henry L. Shattuck of the Boston City Council to give the dedication address that was heard by thousands. Also in attendance was Raymond J. Kelly who was National Commander of the American legion.[5]
.jpg)
.svg){kind=small}