Mary Cahalan statue: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Mary Cahalan postcard.jpg|right|thumb|245px|Postcard of statue in Capitol Park]] | [[Image:Mary Cahalan postcard.jpg|right|thumb|245px|Postcard of statue in Capitol Park]] | ||
The '''Mary Cahalan statue''' is | The '''Mary Cahalan statue''' is a marble monument to former [[Powell School]] teacher and principal [[Mary Cahalan]] located in the southeast quarter of [[Linn Park]], just outside the entrance to the [[Linn-Henley Research Library]]. | ||
When Cahalan died in [[1906]], there was an immediate public movement to erect a statue in her honor. The subject's measurements were taken after her death by [[Edna Smith]]. The statue was carved from a single block of bluish-white [[Talladega marble]] by sculptor [[Giuseppe Moretti]], assisted by [[Geneva Mercer]]. It was dedicated in [[1908]]. The statue depicts Cahalan seated and reading a book. The base is inscribed "Mary A. Cahalan, Teacher" on the front, and "Erected by the People of Birmingham" on the back. | When Cahalan died in [[1906]], there was an immediate public movement to erect a statue in her honor. The subject's measurements were taken after her death by [[Edna Smith]]. The statue was carved from a single block of bluish-white [[Talladega marble]] by sculptor [[Giuseppe Moretti]], assisted by [[Geneva Mercer]] and the [[Talladega Marble Company]]. It was dedicated in [[1908]]. The 5-foot-tall statue depicts Cahalan seated and reading a book. The base, also five feet tall, is inscribed "Mary A. Cahalan, Teacher" on the front, and "Erected by the People of Birmingham" on the back. | ||
In March [[1950]] one of the statue's arms was removed and carried off by vandals. The [[Birmingham Park and Recreation Board]] arranged for a repair. | In March [[1950]] one of the statue's arms was removed and carried off by vandals. The [[Birmingham Park and Recreation Board]] arranged for a repair. | ||
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In [[1980]] the National Geodetic Survey embedded a steel rod benchmark northwest of the statue, using it a reference point. The benchmark is located at 33°31'13" N by -86°48'30" W at an altitude of 614.52 feet above mean sea level. ({{Locate coords inline | lat = 33.52043 | lon = -86.80877 | zoom = 17 | text = locate | type = k}}) | In [[1980]] the National Geodetic Survey embedded a steel rod benchmark northwest of the statue, using it a reference point. The benchmark is located at 33°31'13" N by -86°48'30" W at an altitude of 614.52 feet above mean sea level. ({{Locate coords inline | lat = 33.52043 | lon = -86.80877 | zoom = 17 | text = locate | type = k}}) | ||
In 2006 the [[Friends of Linn Park]] hired sculptor [[Dale Chambliss]] to restore and conserve the statue, which was suffering from soil, frost damage, and a broken nose. A video documentary, produced by [[Tom MacKnight]] | In [[2006]] the [[Friends of Linn Park]] hired sculptor [[Dale Chambliss]] to restore and conserve the statue, which was suffering from soil, frost damage, and a broken nose. A video documentary, produced by [[Tom MacKnight]] chronicled the restoration process, including in-depth backstory on Cahalan, Moretti and Alabama's marble industry written by [[Russell Hubbard]]. | ||
The statue is featured in [[Jay Taylor]]'s parody ''[[The Moretti Code]]''. | The statue is featured in [[Jay Taylor]]'s parody ''[[The Moretti Code]]''. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* ''Monumental News'' (July 1908) pp. 502-3 | |||
* "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/CalahanStatue(3-50).jpg From Where I Stand]" (March 1950) ''Birmingham News'' via [[Birmingham Rewound]] | * "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/CalahanStatue(3-50).jpg From Where I Stand]" (March 1950) ''Birmingham News'' via [[Birmingham Rewound]] | ||
* Alabama survey, Save Outdoor Sculpture (1993) "Mary A. Cahalan, (sculpture)." Smithsonian American Art Museum. Inventory of American Sculpture, control #AL000206 - accessed April 12, 2010 | |||
* Hubbard, Russell (September 25, 2006) "After years of neglect, Linn Park statue gets facelift." ''Birmingham News''. | * Hubbard, Russell (September 25, 2006) "After years of neglect, Linn Park statue gets facelift." ''Birmingham News''. | ||
* Jordan, Phillip (March 24, 2005) "Moretti's assistant: Alabama's own Geneva Mercer." ''Birmingham Weekly''. | * Jordan, Phillip (March 24, 2005) "Moretti's assistant: Alabama's own Geneva Mercer." ''Birmingham Weekly''. | ||
Revision as of 15:37, 12 April 2010
The Mary Cahalan statue is a marble monument to former Powell School teacher and principal Mary Cahalan located in the southeast quarter of Linn Park, just outside the entrance to the Linn-Henley Research Library.
When Cahalan died in 1906, there was an immediate public movement to erect a statue in her honor. The subject's measurements were taken after her death by Edna Smith. The statue was carved from a single block of bluish-white Talladega marble by sculptor Giuseppe Moretti, assisted by Geneva Mercer and the Talladega Marble Company. It was dedicated in 1908. The 5-foot-tall statue depicts Cahalan seated and reading a book. The base, also five feet tall, is inscribed "Mary A. Cahalan, Teacher" on the front, and "Erected by the People of Birmingham" on the back.
In March 1950 one of the statue's arms was removed and carried off by vandals. The Birmingham Park and Recreation Board arranged for a repair.
In 1980 the National Geodetic Survey embedded a steel rod benchmark northwest of the statue, using it a reference point. The benchmark is located at 33°31'13" N by -86°48'30" W at an altitude of 614.52 feet above mean sea level. (locate)
In 2006 the Friends of Linn Park hired sculptor Dale Chambliss to restore and conserve the statue, which was suffering from soil, frost damage, and a broken nose. A video documentary, produced by Tom MacKnight chronicled the restoration process, including in-depth backstory on Cahalan, Moretti and Alabama's marble industry written by Russell Hubbard.
The statue is featured in Jay Taylor's parody The Moretti Code.
References
- Monumental News (July 1908) pp. 502-3
- "From Where I Stand" (March 1950) Birmingham News via Birmingham Rewound
- Alabama survey, Save Outdoor Sculpture (1993) "Mary A. Cahalan, (sculpture)." Smithsonian American Art Museum. Inventory of American Sculpture, control #AL000206 - accessed April 12, 2010
- Hubbard, Russell (September 25, 2006) "After years of neglect, Linn Park statue gets facelift." Birmingham News.
- Jordan, Phillip (March 24, 2005) "Moretti's assistant: Alabama's own Geneva Mercer." Birmingham Weekly.
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External links
- Dale Chambliss – The Mary Cahalan Statue Restoration video documentary website