Mennonite Settler statue facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mennonite Settler Statue
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Mennonite Settler
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 Location in Kansas
Location in the United States
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| Location | Newton, KS |
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| Built | 1942 |
| Architect | Max Nixon |
| NRHP reference No. | 98000084 |
| Added to NRHP | February 26, 1998 |
The Mennonite Settler is a tall, 17-foot statue made of limestone. It stands in Newton, Kansas. This statue honors the Mennonite farmers and their important role in growing wheat.
Contents
What is the Mennonite Settler Statue?
The Mennonite Settler statue was created in 1942. It was made by an artist named Max Nixon from Topeka, Kansas. He used limestone found right in Kansas to build it. The statue shows a bearded Mennonite farmer. He has his hat in his hand, as if he is praying.
Why Was the Statue Built?
The statue sits on a base made of mosaic tiles. On this base, it says: "Commemorating entry into Kansas from Russia of Turkey Red Hard Wheat by Mennonites 1874." This means the statue remembers when Mennonite settlers brought a special kind of wheat called Turkey Red hard winter wheat from Russia in 1874. This wheat was very important. It helped make Kansas known as the "breadbasket of America." This means Kansas grew a lot of wheat for the whole country.
How Was the Statue Funded?
The money to build the statue came from two main sources. First, people in the community raised money together. Second, it was partly paid for by a government program called the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA was a program during the Great Depression that helped people find jobs, including artists.
History and Restoration of the Statue
The Mennonite Settler statue is an important historical landmark. In 1998, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes places that are important to the history of the United States.
When Was the Statue Restored?
After being listed, the statue needed some care. It went through a big restoration project. This work took three years to finish. The restoration was completed in the year 2000. This helped make sure the statue would last for many more years.
Statue Details
The base of the statue, made of mosaic tiles, is quite large. It is about 10 feet (3 meters) across.
Images for kids
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Mennonite Settler
