Statue of Abraham Lincoln (Ashland, Oregon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Statue of Abraham Lincoln |
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The headless statue of Abraham Lincoln in Lithia Park in 2006
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| Artist | Antonio Frilli |
| Year | 1915 |
| Medium | Marble sculpture |
| Subject | Abraham Lincoln |
| Location | Ashland, Oregon, United States |
The Statue of Abraham Lincoln is a beautiful marble sculpture located in Lithia Park in Ashland, Oregon. It was created in 1915 by an artist named Antonio Frilli. This special statue was given to the city in 1916 by Gwin S. Butler. He wanted it to be a way to remember his stepfather, Jacob Thompson, who was an early settler in the area.
What Does the Statue Look Like?
The statue shows Abraham Lincoln standing tall. He has books stacked near his left foot. Lincoln wears a coat that is unbuttoned. In his right hand, he holds a scroll.
The sculpture is made of marble. It is about 5 feet tall, 2 feet wide, and 1 and a third feet deep. It stands on a granite base that is about 4 feet, 4 inches tall.
There are two bronze plaques on the statue. One plaque is a dedication to Jacob Thompson. It says:
IN MEMORY / OF / JACOB THOMPSON / PIONEER OF / 1847
The other plaque explains more about the statue. It mentions that Gwin S. Butler donated it. It also says the statue was originally made in Florence, Italy. The plaque also notes that the statue was repaired in 1990 by Jeffry Bernard. This plaque reads:
ABRAHAM LINCOLN / DONATED TO THE CITY OF ASHLAND IN 1915 BY / GWIN S. BUTLER / IN MEMORY OF HIS STEPFATHER / JACOB THOMPSON / ORIGINALLY SCULPTED IN FLORENCE, ITALY BY / A. FRILLI / EXTENSIVE RESORTATION (sic) IN 1990 BY / JEFFRY BERNARD.
The Statue's Journey and Repairs
The statue was finished in 1915. It was first placed near the Butler-Perozzi Fountain. Later, it was moved to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Finally, it found its home in Lithia Park.
Over the years, the statue has been damaged a few times. This happened in 1958, and again in 1967 when its head was broken off. The artwork was checked in 1993 as part of a program called "Save Outdoor Sculpture!". This program helps to protect outdoor art. In 2008, the statue's head was broken off again. It was then taken out of the park for repairs.
