Unseen/Unforgotten: A Remembrance of Menotomy’s Everyday Defenders, 1775
Christopher Frost
Five sculptural pedestals made of cast concrete, 2025
Located in front of Robbins Memorial Library (on the grass lawn to the left of the main entrance) and in the grove of trees behind the library parking lot.
Commissioned by ArtsArlington. Curated by Cecily Miller, Curator of Public Art and Community Engagement.
Imagine what life was like in the 18th century. How did individuals make the momentous decision to rebel against or to remain loyal to the most powerful empire in their world? At our current time of turmoil, there is a lot contemplate regarding the past, present, and future of America.
Unseen/Unforgotten resembles the neoclassical pedestals familiar from commemorative sculpture honoring American heroes and leaders. The installation pays tribute to the residents of the country village of Menotomy – as Arlington was known at the time of the American Revolution. History has not recorded what they looked like, but we can still remember them. Men, women, and children, people of English, African, and Indigenous heritage – all were swept up in the bloody conflict. You are invited to imagine their lives, confronted by an increasingly autocratic king and parliament. Although some had no choice, many had to decide – without knowing the outcome – would they join the fight against tyranny or would they stand by?
The temporary art installation was created as part of the Arlington250 project. Two groupings of pedestals made of cast concrete (5 total) are located in front of Robbins Memorial Library and in a grove of trees behind the library parking lot. To hear artist Chris Frost talk about Unseen/Unforgotten, check out the audio tour HERE!
Unseen/Unforgotten was commissioned by ArtsArlington and curated by Cecily Miller as part of Arlington’s commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism. Many thanks to Intelligent Labor & Moving for generous support with transportation and installation.