“Pulling Down the Statue of George III,” 1859 painting by Johannes Adam Simon Oertel
Image courtesy of H. Paul Moon
An East Village filmmaker’s new documentary about one of the most dramatic moments in New York City’s Revolutionary history will premiere Thursday night — exactly 250 years to the day after it happened.
H. Paul Moon’s “By George” will screen outdoors at The Battery, just steps from Bowling Green, where an angry crowd toppled the equestrian statue of King George III on July 9, 1776, after hearing the Declaration of Independence publicly read for the first time in New York.
The hourlong documentary traces the story of the monument’s destruction and what became of it afterward. Much of the statue was melted down into musket balls for the Continental Army, while its severed head was reportedly smuggled back to England, where it may still be hidden.
The film also explores how public monuments shape civic memory, drawing connections between the Revolutionary era and contemporary conversations about history and public space.
Following the screening, Moon will join Ivan Schwartz of StudioEIS and Abby Suckle of cultureNOW for a discussion.
The free event begins at 8 p.m. as part of Big Screen at The Battery, though organizers recommend registering in advance due to limited seating.