Mark Twain Statue Stops at Gates Mills En Route to Cultural Gardens

 

The bronze statue was originally a part of the American Cultural Garden, one of 26 gardens that line Martin Luther King Boulevard near University Circle. In 1935 schoolchildren collected pennies toward the purchase of the bust, sculpted by Frank Jirouch and unveiled on the 100th anniversary of the Twain's birth.

 

Four years ago, Hawken's seventh graders became stewards of the Garden and embarked on numerous service learning projects. The bust of Twain had been languishing in storage for years before Hawken and their Garden partners tracked it down. Three years ago, the Class of 2014 began researching the restoration process and the 7th grade classes of 2015 and 2016 then worked to secure over $8,000 in grants.

 

Tom Podnar, a former Hawken parent and professional conservator who works with the McKay Lodge Conservatory in Oberlin, conducted the conservation and led students through the final stages of the process in the art department at Gates Mills.

 

The restored statue will be rededicated on October 7 at 1 p.m. in the American Cultural Garden during a community celebration. The American Cultural Garden is located at 1229 East Blvd, Cleveland 44108. The Hawken community is encouraged to attend. Contact Brooke Collier for questions and to RSVP.