Goldwater statue unveiled at Arizona State Capitol

PHOENIX — A new statue to honor Barry Goldwater is at the State Capitol Museum for the next few months, before joining 99 of the nation’s most prominent citizens in Washington D.C.

“Since every state only gets two statues in Statuary Hall, it’s a pretty big deal,” said Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett. “Arizona has decided to replace one of those with a statue of Barry Goldwater.”

If anyone represents Arizona’s first 100 years, it’s probably him, Bennett said. The statue is currently sitting in the rotunda at the Arizona State Capitol Museum under the copper dome, but only for the next few months.

“Then it will be taken back to Statuary Hall in Washington D.C. and take its place amongst the other 99 men and women who represent the best of the best from each of the 50 states,” said Bennett.

The 8 foot tall, nearly 1 ton statue is nearly 8 feet tall and weight about one ton. It will join “Arizona’s First Rancher,” Father Kino, and replace the statue of John Campbell Greenway, which has stood in Statuary Hall since 1930.