dcpast:

1993. &ldquo;View looking to front of statue &ndash; U.S. Capitol, Statue of Freedom, Intersection of North, South, &amp;amp; East Capitol Streets &amp;amp; Capitol Mall, Washington, District of Columbia, DC.&rdquo; Boucher, Jack E., creator. Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record/Historic American Landscapes Survey. Library of Congress.

From the Architect of the Capitol:


  While the statue had been cleaned in place over the years, in 1991 it was determined that to fully restore the statue, it would have to come down. On May 9, 1993, Freedom was lifted from its pedestal and lowered onto the east front plaza. The conservation effort included removing corrosion and caulk and stripping the interior paint. Repairs included 750 bronze plugs and patches. Chemicals were applied to restore the patina, and the bronze was given protective coatings. The cast iron pedestal was cleaned, repaired, and painted in place atop the dome. The statue was lifted back in place by helicopter in September 1993, the bicentennial of the laying of the first cornerstone of the Capitol.


This is such an amazing photo. It might be my favorite one in all of DC Past so far.