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Statue of Rachel Carson facts for kids

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Statue of Rachel Carson
Rachel Carson Monument.jpg
Artist David Lewis
Year 2013 (2013)
Subject Rachel Carson
Location Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States
Coordinates 41°31′30″N 70°40′21″W / 41.52495°N 70.67254°W / 41.52495; -70.67254

A special outdoor statue of Rachel Carson, a famous biologist, conservationist, and writer, was placed in Waterfront Park in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA. The artist, David Lewis, created this statue, which was officially put in place on July 14, 2013.

History of the Statue

Plans for the Rachel Carson statue were first shared on September 27, 2012. This date was special because it was 50 years after her very important book, Silent Spring, was published. The statue looks like Rachel Carson in a photo taken in 1951. This picture was taken on a dock in Woods Hole.

The idea for the statue came from Eric Turkington. He later helped lead the Rachel Carson Statue Committee. Susan Shephard also co-chaired the committee. Other members included Catherine Bumpus, James "Jim" Crossen, Mary Pat Flynn, Jack Moakley, and Marsha Zafiriou. The committee wanted to raise $90,000 to build the statue. A bank and an unknown person helped by giving money that matched other donations. David Lewis, the sculptor, thought it would take about a year to finish the artwork.

Statue Dedication Ceremony

Inscription of Rachel Carson sculpture
Rachel Carson's own words are carved into a stone at the statue's base. The statue looks out over Great Harbor and the Woods Hole passage.

The statue was officially dedicated on July 14, 2013. A dedication ceremony is a special event to celebrate something new. This event focused on Rachel Carson's strong connection to Woods Hole.

Many important people spoke at the ceremony:

  • Gary Borisy, who used to be in charge of the Marine Biological Laboratory, spoke. He said Rachel Carson was like "a scientific daughter" of Woods Hole. He also called her "a marine biologist who kicked the hornets' nest," meaning she caused a big stir with her ideas.
  • Joan Ruderman, the current leader of the Laboratory, also spoke.
  • Susan Avery, president of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, shared her thoughts.
  • William Karp, a science director, and Cheryl Osimo, a co-founder of the Silent Spring Institute, also gave speeches.

Gallery

  • Images from the dedication ceremony
  • David Lewis (sculptor) 2013

    Statue sculptor David Lewis

  • Unveiling of the Rachel Carson Statue

    Unveiling the statue

  • Eric Turkington, Gary Borisy, and Susan Avery 2013

    Eric Turkington, Gary Borisy, and Susan Avery

  • Joan Ruderman 2013

    Joan Ruderman

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