Friends of Delaware's Gambrinus Statue

05/07/2026

King Gambrinus disappeared from public display in Albany, NY in 1972 (see Comments below). Might Nipper face a similar fate?

Albany residents love Nipper, a giant dog statue perched atop a warehouse for nearly seven decades. This 28-foot statue depicting the famous RCA dog listening to a phonograph has become a local icon.

04/18/2026

Here's an interesting public monument story. Notice that the Hermann statue has a stance similar to our King Gambrinus--only Hermann is holding his sword skyward, while King G casts his goblet!

New Ulm needs to repair and restore its crumbling yet iconic 102-foot high Hermann the German monument. The estimated cost is steep: $11.6 million.

04/18/2026

We’re honored to share an exciting milestone in the Restore the King campaign.

Thanks to the generosity, passion, and belief of our supporters, we have officially surpassed the halfway point of our initial $100,000 fundraising goal for statue restoration. This is more than just a number—it’s a powerful sign that this project matters, and that together, we are bringing history back to life.

As we continue this journey, the next phase is critical. In the coming months, we will be working closely with conservation specialists to refine our restoration plan and develop the most accurate cost estimates based on the progress we've already made. We'll be certain to keep you posted.

To those who have already contributed: thank you. Your support is making this possible.

To those considering joining us: now is the moment. With your help, we can carry Restore the King across the finish line and ensure that this piece of Delaware history stands strong for generations to come.

Every step brings us closer to ensuring this sculpture is preserved with the care and respect it deserves. Together, we can see the Restore the King project through. See www.restoretheking.com for more information on the project's progress and how to contribute.

04/09/2026

Here's an interesting piece about a statue replacement from the company, Direct Dimensions, who helped us with our laser scanning and 3D modeling project. The Flora statue project shares many of the same techniques employed for our Restore the King project.

When Tropical Storm Helene struck Asheville, North Carolina in 2024, the statue of Flora on the South Terrace of Biltmore House was damaged beyond repair and required full replacement. The sculpture was a terra-cotta recreation of a work by French sculptor Antoine Coysevox. Fortunately, an identical...