PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Independent Man is set to lift off and return to the top of the State House dome after more than a year on the ground. 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, there were disruptions to the fabrication process due to Hurricane Helene. The storm caused a delay in delivery of the marble sourced from the same Georgia quarry used to build the State House over 125 years ago. For safety, access to the State House plaza is restricted today, but the lift is expected to begin at 10 a.m. Categories: News