Statue of Charles Linn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Statue of Charles Linn |
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| Artist | Branko Medenica |
| Year | 2013 |
| Medium |
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| Subject | Charles Linn |
| Location | Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
| 33°31′12″N 86°48′35″W / 33.52000°N 86.80972°W | |
A statue honoring Charles Linn used to stand in Linn Park in Birmingham, Alabama, United States. This artwork was a tribute to Linn, an important figure in the city's history.
Contents
About the Statue
What the Statue Looked Like
The statue was a large artwork made of bronze. It showed Charles Linn and stood about 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall. The bronze figure rested on a base made of granite, which was about 5 feet (1.5 meters) high.
The statue weighed around 800 pounds (363 kilograms). It was designed based on a painting of Charles Linn. In the statue, Linn's hand rested on a pillar. This pillar was meant to represent the start of the National Bank of Birmingham. This bank later became part of Regions Financial Corporation. The memorial also had special plaques. These plaques shared information about Linn and thanked the people who donated money for the statue.
History of the Statue
How the Statue Was Created
The idea for the statue came from the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. They asked a sculptor named Branko Medenica to create it. The statue was a way to honor Arthur Henley, who was a leader in their "Legacy of Leadership" campaign. Arthur Henley was also a descendant of Charles Linn.
The plan for the statue was announced in 2012. It was officially dedicated on May 29, 2013. This date was "World MS Day," a special day to raise awareness about Multiple Sclerosis. The sculptor, Branko Medenica, was there for the dedication ceremony.
What Happened to the Statue
On May 31, 2020, during a time of public demonstrations, the statue was damaged. It was eventually pulled down from its base.
Branko Medenica, the sculptor, had included a special personal tribute in the statue. This tribute was for his sister-in-law, who had passed away from Multiple Sclerosis. Medenica said he understood why the statue was toppled. However, he was sad about the loss of his personal message within the artwork. He mentioned that the people who toppled it likely did not know about his hidden tribute. The artist has said he would be willing to help fix the sculpture if it were possible.
