Thayer Monument
Encyclopedia
Thayer Monument is a white granite monument and statue of Sylvanus Thayer
at the United States Military Academy
, designed by C. Conrad and first unveiled in June 1883. Thayer is known as the "Father of the Military Academy" for the profound and lasting impact of his superintendency during the academy's early years. The monument's location has changed over the years. It first occupied the southwest corner of the Plain
, but it currently sits at the intersection of Washington and Jefferson roads, adjacent to the Beat Navy tunnel on the northwest corner of the Plain. The memorial is the sight of multiple memorial ceremonies during the year as West Point reunions hold a parade and memorial service at the site. Tradition states that the oldest living graduate of the senior reunion class present will lay a wreath at the statue.
Sylvanus Thayer
Colonel and Brevet Brigadier General Sylvanus Thayer also known as "the Father of West Point" was an early superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point and an early advocate of engineering education in the United States.-Biography:Thayer was born in Braintree, Massachusetts,...
at the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
, designed by C. Conrad and first unveiled in June 1883. Thayer is known as the "Father of the Military Academy" for the profound and lasting impact of his superintendency during the academy's early years. The monument's location has changed over the years. It first occupied the southwest corner of the Plain
The Plain (West Point)
The Plain is the parade field at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. The flat terrain of the Plain is in contrast to the varied and hilly terrain of the remainder of the campus. The Plain rises approximately above the Hudson River and has been the site of the longest...
, but it currently sits at the intersection of Washington and Jefferson roads, adjacent to the Beat Navy tunnel on the northwest corner of the Plain. The memorial is the sight of multiple memorial ceremonies during the year as West Point reunions hold a parade and memorial service at the site. Tradition states that the oldest living graduate of the senior reunion class present will lay a wreath at the statue.