On the evening of July 9, 2026 — 250 years after New Yorkers toppled the statue of King George III at Bowling Green following the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence — The Battery Conservancy will host a special outdoor waterfront screening of the new documentary By George and discussion just steps from where this pivotal moment in American history unfolded on the lawns of The Battery.
This event begins at 8 pm with the world premiere of the one-hour documentary, followed by a conversation with Ivan Schwartz of StudioEIS, Abby Suckle of cultureNOW, and the film’s director H. Paul Moon.
By George tells the story of July 9, 1776, when New Yorkers gathered downtown to hear the Declaration of Independence read publicly for the first time. In one of the Revolution’s most symbolic acts, the crowd marched to Bowling Green and pulled down the equestrian statue of King George III.
The film traces the statue’s extraordinary afterlife: its lead was melted down into musket balls to support the revolutionary cause, while the severed head was said to have been returned to England, where it may remain hidden to this day. Other pieces of the statue made their way to the New-York Historical Society.
Set against contemporary conversations about monuments, memory, and public space, By George explores how societies choose to commemorate history and how public symbols shape civic identity.
This special screening is part of Big Screen at The Battery, a two-week outdoor series of free films, cultural events, and community gatherings presented on a large waterfront screen in New York City’s most historic park.
The program is also part of The Battery Conservancy‘s America250 programming, commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary and the central role Lower Manhattan played in the story of American independence.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration here is strongly recommended, as seating is limited.
For more information about the film and its director can be found here.
Illustration: Detail from “Pulling Down the Statue of King George III, New York City” by Johannes Adam Simon Oertel, ca. 1852-1853 (New-York Historical).
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