The park is named for Ambrose Burnside, a general in the American Civil War from Rhode Island.

An equestrian statue of Ambrose Burnside was erected in the late 19th century and sits in the center of the park.

Monumental sculpture was added in the first decade of the 20th century, including the resetting of the equestrian portrait of General Ambrose E. Burnside (1887, Launt Thompson, sculptor) from Exchange Place in 1906.

[3] The fountain was a gift to the City of Providence by Italian Diplomat Signor Paul Bajnotti.

[7] A 20-foot tall bronze statue by Irish-American sculptor Launt Thompson depicts Rhode Island Governor, Senator, and Civil War general Ambrose Burnside on horseback.