The George Washington Equestrian Monument
Following President George Washington's death in 1799, the Virginia General Assembly wanted to build a suitable monument and have his remains interred on the Capitol grounds.  In 1849, after years of debate and fundraising, a resolution was passed and a commission was appointed.  On February 22, 1850, in the presence of President Zachary Taylor, former President John Tyler, and many other dignitaries and a crowd of thousands, the cornerstone was laid.  Thomas Crawford's design was selected in a competition.  The bronze statue was cast in Germany and arrived in Richmond late in 1857, just weeks after Crawford died suddenly at age 47.
In January 1858, the statue was hoisted into its present location and finally, on February 22, 1858, the statue of Washington and three lower-tier statues were unveiled.