PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — All through the fall, work crews have been preparing for the arrival of the new marble to replace the damaged pedestal and drum for the Independent Man, according to a spokesperson for the state Department of Administration. The last time the Independent Man was taken down from the State House was back in the mid-1970s, however this time, he was taken down back in late 2023 after the marble base of the statue was revealed to be compromised. Plans were underway to return the Independent Man to the top of the State House “this fall,” however, the Independent Man is still on the ground. According to Karen Greco, Director of Public Affairs for the state Department of Administration, disruptions to the fabrication process due to Hurricane Helene, caused a delay in delivery of the marble sourced from the same Georgia quarry used to build the State House over 125 years ago. This, along with the upcoming holiday, pushed the deadline for the Independent Man to be put back on top of the dome in mid December. “This is all weather dependent,” said Greco in a statement to ABC6. Categories: News