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Wax Lincoln Statue Melts in Record D.C. Heat

Historic heatwave causes significant damage to 3,000-pound wax sculpture outside elementary school.

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CulturalDC, a non-profit organization, had commissioned the 6-foot statue as a direct commentary on DC’s history of Civil War-era Contraband Camps, refugee camps that housed formerly enslaved and free African Americans.
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Overview

  • The statue, part of an exhibit by CulturalDC, began melting as temperatures reached triple digits.
  • Lincoln's head was removed to prevent it from falling and breaking.
  • The sculpture was designed to change over time but not expected to melt so rapidly.
  • Plans to remove the statue before the school year starts have been confirmed.
  • The melting has sparked conversations about climate change and public art.