Taking a Stroll Down the Hillsdale College Liberty Walk
Written by Grace Canlas
Upon arrival at Hillsdale College, you will be greeted by numerous people, including George Washington, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, and Ronald Reagan. These distinguished individuals memorialized in bronze compose the Hillsdale College Liberty Walk. As I pass by these statues every day on my way to class, I like to think that the people they honor have a home here at Hillsdale College. However, these statues do not just symbolize particular individuals, but specific values that Hillsdale faculty and students work to pursue and preserve.
Hillsdale College is committed to defending liberty by raising up educated citizens. The Liberty Walk seeks to cultivate informed patriotism, protecting freedom for the future generations of America. In a time when the nation’s history is subjected to ever-increasing attacks from distorted and dishonest narratives, the Liberty Walk stands as a reminder of America’s true heritage.
Each statue of the Liberty Walk represents a certain legacy that not only Hillsdale College has inherited, but also America and the West have received. It is a legacy of freedom from George Washington, of justice from Frederick Douglass, of courage from Winston Churchill. These principles depicted in the faces of history’s greatest men and women cause me to think deeply about our heritage.
I had the opportunity to take the core curriculum course “The Western Heritage,” and I look forward to studying “The American Heritage.” In taking “Western Heritage” I learned that heritage is something sacred as it extends through time, connecting the past, present, and future of a community (thank you Dr. Dave Stewart). The Liberty Walk statues prompt us to remember our past in the present moment so that we can direct our future toward that which is good.
The next time you visit Hillsdale College, I hope you will take the time to enjoy the Liberty Walk. Make sure to say “Hello!” to James Madison, snap a picture with Ronald Reagan, and lift up a prayer of thanks to God for our great heritage and the blessing of freedom.
Grace Canlas, ’27, is a prospective English major and military history and grand strategy minor. When not studying in the library, she can be found practicing martial arts or laughing with her family and friends.
Published in January 2024