Wilmington Sends Garfield Statue to Ohio

Mayor John Carney sent the 18-foot statue of James Garfield to Hiram, Ohio, where a historical society plans a celebration.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in City Hall

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single empty granite pedestal on a bare plaza under a flat red and cream palette, evoking a removed public monument. — Wilmington Mayor John Carney shipped the 18-foot James Garfield statue to Hiram, Ohio, after it stood in the city for 131 years. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Wilmington Mayor John Carney sent the 18-foot James Garfield statue, which stood in Wilmington for 131 years, to Hiram, Ohio. The city paid thousands of dollars to have the statue shipped, and a city spokesperson said Carney had the authority to make the decision on his own.

Why it matters

Some Wilmington residents and preservationists want the statue returned to Delaware, raising questions about how the city handles public monuments. The removal followed a request from the City Council member representing the area, who sought the statue's removal as part of plans to remake Garfield Triangle Park.

The 18-foot statue stood in Garfield Triangle Park for 131 years, and the city paid thousands of dollars to ship it to Hiram, Ohio. The exact shipping cost has not been disclosed, and the concrete base where the statue stood is now empty.

The players

John Carney

John Carney is the Mayor of Wilmington, Delaware, who made the decision to send the statue to Hiram, Ohio.

The details

The statue previously stood in Garfield Triangle Park, which now has no sign marking its name or explaining Garfield's history. A city spokesperson said Carney had the authority to make the decision on his own, and NBC10 did not receive responses from the City Council member or the mayor of Hiram.

The statue first stood in Wilmington, Delaware, 131 years before its removal.
Garfield died in 1881 after an assassination attempt.
The Hiram historical society plans a celebration for the statue on Sunday.

Political Context

Opponents and preservationists argue the statue's removal from Garfield Triangle Park strips Wilmington of a long-standing public monument to a president. Residents who want it returned to Delaware frame the decision as one made without broader public input.

Residents of Wilmington who visit Garfield Triangle Park will no longer see the statue or any sign explaining Garfield's history at the site. Those wanting the statue returned may need to follow city council and mayoral decisions on public monuments going forward.

The takeaway

Public monuments can be relocated by city leaders without a formal vote, so residents who value a local landmark should track decisions made by the mayor and council.