A statue honoring the founder and executive producer of Boston’s famous Fourth of July show has been unveiled along the Charles River Esplanade.

The eight-foot-tall bronze statue is dedicated to the life and legacy of David Mugar, who was the mastermind behind the July 4th Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular show for more than four decades.

Mugar died last year at the age of 82.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)provided options for the location of the statue to the Mugar family.

An archivist for DCR provided a 1954 plan for the Music Oval by landscape architects Arthur and Sydney Shurcliff, showing sites available for memorial statues. Two sites identified on that plan were provided as possible locations for the statue of Mugar, DCR Communications Director Ilyse Wolberg said.

The Music Oval already included several historic memorial statues. The final location was selected based on environmental impacts including impacts to views, tree roots and proximity to any potential archaeological resources, Wolberg said.

Necessary environmental permits for the statue include Boston Landmarks Commission, Boston Conservation Commission and Massachusetts Historical Commission. DCR provided technical support for permitting, design approval and issued a DCR Construction Access Permit for the selected contractor. The Mugar family designed and built the statue, Wolberg said.

The sculpture, unveiled on September 11, is situated atop a granite base and accompanied by a plaque telling Mugar’s story. The construction for the statue began in February of 2022 by sculptor Robert Shure.

Mugar was an Armenian-American businessman from Belmont. He was a philanthropist well known for his generous support of civic, cultural, and educational organizations across Massachusetts.