Frances Elizabeth Willard (relief) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Frances Elizabeth Willard
Artist	Lorado Taft
Year	1929 (1929)
Type	Bronze Relief
Dimensions	126.4 cm × 81 cm × 1.3 cm (49.75 in × 32 in × .5 in)
Location	Indiana Statehouse, Indianapolis
Coordinates	39°46′7″N 86°9′46″W / 39.76861°N 86.16278°W / 39.76861; -86.16278
Owner	Indiana Statehouse

Frances Elizabeth Willard is a special piece of public art. It was created by an American artist named Lorado Taft. You can find it in the main hall, called the rotunda, of the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

This artwork is a bronze plaque. It was given by the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). The plaque celebrates 50 years since Frances Willard became the president of the WCTU. She was a very important leader.

What the Artwork Looks Like

This bronze plaque is about 32 inches wide. It is also about 49 and three-quarter inches tall. It is half an inch thick.

The plaque has words carved into it at the top and bottom. In the middle, there is a raised image of Frances Elizabeth Willard. It shows her face from the side.

She is wearing a dress with big, puffy sleeves. Her neck has a high lace collar. Her hair is pulled back neatly into a bun.

Messages on the Plaque

The words at the top of the plaque tell us about Frances Willard. They say:

In honor of one who made the world wider

for women and more homelike for humanity

Frances Elizabeth Willard

Intrepid Pathfinder and beloved leader

of the National and World's

Woman's Christian Temperance Union

The words at the bottom of the plaque explain why it was made. They say:

Placed September 22-1929 by the

National W-C-T-U to commemorate the

Fiftieth Anniversary of Frances Willard's

Election as President in the city of

Indianapolis Indiana October 31-1879

You can find the artist's name, "Lorado Taft Sc. 1929," at the bottom left of the artwork. The plaque is in great condition.

History of the Plaque

Where the Plaque is Located

This plaque is on display in the main hall of the Indiana Statehouse. This area is called the Rotunda.

In 1968, some new ideas were suggested for displaying art in the Statehouse. These ideas were about how to choose which paintings, statues, and plaques should be shown. The goal was to have clear rules for all the artwork.

If these rules had been accepted, the Frances Elizabeth Willard plaque might have been moved. Another plaque, the Sarah T. Bolton plaque, might have been moved too.

Here are some of the suggested rules:

• People or events honored should be important to Indiana history.
• Each display should be important to the whole state.
• People should only be honored 10 years after they have passed away.
• Statues and plaques should be made of strong materials.
• All artwork should be good quality.
• Items that didn't meet these rules would be removed.

These rules were not accepted, so the Frances Elizabeth Willard plaque stayed in its place.