Haym Salomon
Heald Square East Upper Wacker Drive
Writer: Richard Nelson
Actor: Bob Balaban
"Usually, we look at a statue involving George Washington and all we see is George. In this case, after you hear the monologue, I think you’ll look a little bit harder at Haym.”
Bob Balaban
Type this short URL into the browser of your mobile telephone, in a moment your phone will ring - and you’ll hear what your statue has to say for itself!
Speak2.co/Haym
Haym Salomon’s life was brief and tumultuous, but his impact on America was great. A Polish-born Jewish businessman, Haym Salomon (1740 – 1785) advanced from penniless refugee to become one of the most important financers of the American Revolution.
Risking his fortune, he helped fund General Washington's army, securing loans at rock-bottom prices. After the war was won, Salomon used his own money to help finance America's newly-formed but impoverished government.
Sadly, his generosity was not repaid. It seemed that Congress did not recognize their debt to Salomon, refusing to repay the money they'd borrowed. When Salomon died in poverty, at the age of just 45. His family was left unable to reclaim their debt from the government. In 1975, The U.S. Postal Service issued a stamp hailing Salomon as a ‘Financial Hero of the American Revolution.’
For more about Chicago’s Jewish American history, click here.
For more about artworks in Chicago’s parks, click here.
Supported by
