The E. M. Viquesney "Spirit of the American Doughboy" Database
Photo provided by Alderman Frank Poolas.
DOVER, NEW JERSEY
N 40° 53.151 / W 074° 34.224
Copyright version 1920, pressed copper.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: 47260068.
Copyright version 1920, pressed copper.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: 47260068.
In Hurd Park, just off end of intersection of Princeton Avenue and Route 46.
The inscription on a plaque on the front of the large top stone reads:
IN MEMORY OF THE
VETERANS OF THE WORLD WAR
AND THE MEN
WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
FOR THEIR COUNTRY
FROM THIS DISTRICT
WHOSE NAMES
APPEAR ON THE STONES BELOW
ERECTED 1922
IN MEMORY OF THE
VETERANS OF THE WORLD WAR
AND THE MEN
WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
FOR THEIR COUNTRY
FROM THIS DISTRICT
WHOSE NAMES
APPEAR ON THE STONES BELOW
ERECTED 1922
The plaque was donated by Charles N. Polasky. 38 of the stones in the base bear bronze plates, each one with the name of a soldier from the Second District of Morris County who died in the war.
A plaque on the rear of the top stone of the base reads:
THIS MONUMENT
DESIGNED BY AND CONSTRUCTED
UNDER SUPERVISION OF OUR
ESTEEMED TOWNSMAN
PETER C. BUCK
1922
THIS MONUMENT
DESIGNED BY AND CONSTRUCTED
UNDER SUPERVISION OF OUR
ESTEEMED TOWNSMAN
PETER C. BUCK
1922
The May 30, 1922 dedication ceremony included participation by representatives of the Grand Army of the Republic, Spanish American War Veterans, and American Legion. Major efforts and cost, were devoted to location, selection, transportation, and arrangement of stones from a large surrounding area.
The monument project was conceived by Dover Water Commissioner and President of the Shade Tree Commission Peter C. Buck.
The monument project was conceived by Dover Water Commissioner and President of the Shade Tree Commission Peter C. Buck.
The Doughboy suffered vandalism over the years, even being torn from the monument and thrown into a nearby creek on one occasion. It was put back on the monument and temporarily repaired several times. In 1982, on the 60th anniversary of its original dedication, the statue was rededicated after repairs to the rifle.
__________
Photo: Star Ledger.
Left: The Dover Doughboy after it had been removed from its tall mound of large stones on March 14, 2000, here shown being readied by Mike Messuri (left) and Luis Acevedo (right) to be transported for restoration. According to the news article pubished with the photo, the restoration was performed in 2001 by John Cappalano, Easton Memorial Company, Easton, Pennsylvania, which had performed restoration work on the Doughboys in Frenchtown and Roselle Park, New Jersey, and in Pennsylvania. The picture was provided by Alderman Frank Poolas, Chairman of the Restoration Committee and leader of the project.
The 2001 restoration project involved the entire town, including American Legion posts, lodges, the historical society, schools, individuals, businesses, and other organizations. Some of the funds were raised by selling over 600 pavers with names of veterans engraved on them. The Doughboy’s left hand and rifle were replaced during the restoration and the sculpture, the mound of stones, and the entire park setting are all outstanding. A large and impressive rededication ceremony was held May 28, 2001 following completion of the project.
The 2001 restoration project involved the entire town, including American Legion posts, lodges, the historical society, schools, individuals, businesses, and other organizations. Some of the funds were raised by selling over 600 pavers with names of veterans engraved on them. The Doughboy’s left hand and rifle were replaced during the restoration and the sculpture, the mound of stones, and the entire park setting are all outstanding. A large and impressive rededication ceremony was held May 28, 2001 following completion of the project.
