Greensboro Downtown Statues and Monuments Walk (Self Guided), Greensboro

The bust of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was installed in honor of the famous leader of the African American Civil Rights Movement in the United States, known for his non-violent methods of protest inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. Sculpted by Wilbur Lee Map, this bronze bust was unveiled in 1994, capturing the face of Dr. King in his final hour of life. The monument is located at the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and South Elm Street.

Nathanael Greene was a legendary major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War, and the person after whom the city was named. This life-size bronze statue was created by artist Jim Barnhill and installed at the roundabout of Greene and West McGee Streets in 2008. A plate on the pedestal features a quote by Marquis de Lafayette: "In the very name Greene are remembered all the virtues and talents which can illustrate the patriot, the statesman, and the military leader."

Millennium Gate, unveiled in 2002, has become one of Greensboro’s most notable landmarks. Installed at the Municipal Office Building on West Washington Street, it was created by Jim Gallucci, a famous Greensboro artist. This bronze sculpture was inspired by the world’s greatest events, inventions and figures of the last millennium.

One of Greensboro’s most unusual and fascinating sculptures, the News & Record Bench consists of a bronze bench made of sheets of newspaper, magazines and boxes. The newspaper even has articles printed on it. Created by famous Greensboro artist Jim Gallucci, sculptor of many notable city monuments, it is located outside the News & Record corporate office on East Market Street.

Walking down North Elm Street you will notice a huge stone book. It is a monument to the famous writer William Sydney Porter, commonly known as O. Henry. His life was short and much of it was spent in Greensboro. The monument depicts two of his stories, “The Gift of the Magi” and “The Ransom of Red Chief,” with the sculpture of a young boy peeping out through the pages. Created by artist Maria J. Kirby-Smith and unveiled in 1985, a few steps from the book you will find a life-size statue of O. Henry and his beloved dog.

Metaphor, a famous work by artist Ogden Deal, is a twelve foot steel statue of a human figure stretching out its hands to the sky. Standing for nearly forty years, the statue is sponsored by the Greensboro Youth Council and installed on Youth Square at the intersection of Summit Avenue, East Lindsay Street and Church Court.

On February 1, 1960 four African American students were refused service when ordering coffee. Considered the birth of the American Civil Rights Movement, the Greensboro Four are commemorated by this monument created by A&T art professor James Barnhill. Located at North Carolina A&T State University, this ten foot bronze statue was unveiled on February 1, 2002, depicting the Greensboro Four: David Richmond, Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair, Jr. and Joseph McNeil.