COVINGTON, Ky. — The City of Covington's Public Works Department will temporarily remove the James Bradley statue from its location on Riverside Drive to allow for needed repairs to the bench on which the statue sits. 

The statue will be carefully removed and transported to the Public Works facility, where it will be stored while the repairs are completed. Once the work is finished, the statue will be returned to its current location along the riverfront. 

About James Bradley 

James Bradley was born in Africa in the early nineteenth century and was brought to America by slave traders as an infant. After gaining his freedom, Bradley crossed the Ohio River into Covington and later enrolled at Lane Seminary in Cincinnati in 1834. 

Bradley is remembered for his participation in the historic Lane Seminary debates on slavery and abolitionism. He was the only former slave to take part in the debates, where he delivered a powerful speech emphasizing that the greatest desires of enslaved people were "liberty and education." 

His words and experiences helped shape discussions about slavery and abolition at a pivotal moment in American history. 

About the Statue 

The James Bradley statue was sculpted by George Danhires and installed in 1988 as an official project of the Greater Cincinnati Bicentennial Commission. 

Located along Riverside Drive, the bronze sculpture depicts Bradley seated on a bench overlooking the Ohio River. The location serves as a reminder of Bradley's journey to freedom and his enduring legacy as an advocate for education, opportunity, and human dignity. 

The City appreciates residents' patience during the repair process and looks forward to returning this important piece of Covington's public art and history to its place along the riverfront once the work is complete. 

Historical information about James Bradley and the statue is sourced from The Historical Marker Database.