Bernardo de Gálvez Memorial

Bernardo de Gálvez Memorial

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Public Transit, Wheelchair Accessible

The Bernardo de Gálvez Memorial on Virginia Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., honors a key international ally whose support proved vital to the American Revolution. Born in 1746 in Málaga, Spain, Bernardo de Gálvez was a career military officer who served in campaigns across Europe, North Africa, and New Spain before becoming governor of Spanish Louisiana in 1777. When the Revolutionary War spread to the Gulf Coast, Gálvez became one of the most effective commanders against British forces. He supplied the Continental Army with weapons, uniforms, and funds, while simultaneously leading a series of strategic victories at Baton Rouge, Natchez, Mobile, and Pensacola. His success secured the Mississippi River, disrupted British supply lines, and protected the vulnerable western frontier. Gálvez later served as viceroy of New Spain, but his legacy in the United States endures in recognition of his decisive contributions to American independence.

Washington’s first monument to Gálvez stands along a triangular green space on Virginia Avenue NW near 22nd Street, close to the U.S. Department of State. This memorial reflects a mid-20th-century effort by Spanish American heritage groups to elevate Gálvez’s role in Revolutionary War history. The site, a modest landscaped park framed by trees and low plantings, was selected for its proximity to diplomatic and federal buildings, symbolizing the longstanding relationship between Spain and the United States.

The statue was dedicated in 1976 as part of the U.S. Bicentennial, when Washington welcomed numerous international gifts honoring figures who contributed to America’s founding. Spain presented the statue of Gálvez as a gesture of friendship and a reminder of Spain’s military and financial support during the war. Sculpted in a traditional style, the bust portrays Gálvez in uniform, capturing his poise and confidence as both a soldier and a statesman. It rests atop a granite pedestal inscribed with his name and commemorative text noting his service to the cause of independence. It was dedicated by King Juan Carlos I of Spain on June 3, 1976. 

Today, this small park and equestrian statue stand as a reminder that the American Revolution was shaped not only by domestic leadership but also by the crucial contributions of international allies like Bernardo de Gálvez.