The E. M. Viquesney "Spirit of the American Doughboy" Database
NAPERVILLE, ILLINOIS
N 41° 46.742 / W 088° 08.734
Copyright version 1920, pressed copper.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: 47260024.
Copyright version 1920, pressed copper.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: 47260024.
In Burlington Square on a pedestal near North Center Street. Burlington Square is bounded on the west by Center Street, the south by North Street, the east by Ellsworth Street, and the north by Fourth Street. It is just south across Fourth Street from Naperville’s downtown Burlington Northern station of the Chicago Metro.
The inscription on a plaque on the front of the base reads:
TO PERPETUATE
THE MEMORY OF
VETERANS
OF THE WORLD WAR
1914 - 1918
The inscription on a plaque that is on a large nearby memorial rock reads:
TO HONOR THE
MEMORY OF THE
NAPERVILLE BOYS
WHO GAVE THEIR
LIVES IN THE WAR
OF 1914 – 1918
(followed by seven names)
TO PERPETUATE
THE MEMORY OF
VETERANS
OF THE WORLD WAR
1914 - 1918
The inscription on a plaque that is on a large nearby memorial rock reads:
TO HONOR THE
MEMORY OF THE
NAPERVILLE BOYS
WHO GAVE THEIR
LIVES IN THE WAR
OF 1914 – 1918
(followed by seven names)
When the Doughboy was rededicated in a very impressive ceremony May 25, 2003, a new plaque was also placed reading:
----------------------
The Spirit of the American Doughboy
The American Legion Post 43 erected this sculpture in honor of those from Naperville who served in World War I. Artist E. M. Viquesney created the mold for the Doughboy and supervised the factory production in Spencer, Indiana. Calling the Doughboy his "greatest and most sincere effort", Viquesney aimed to capture every detail of the American Soldier. His intent was to create a democratic war memorial honoring the common soldier in each hometown throughout the United States. Today, the Doughboy remains one of the most viewed outdoor sculptures in America. It stands proudly in over 135 locations, including Burlington Square Park, for many years, the gateway to Naperville.
Artist: E. M. Viquesney Conservator: Giorgio Gikas
Dedicated: May 31, 1926 Rededicated: May 25, 2003
------------------------
It is not unusual for information about the creation and number of those standing to contain minor departures from the specific facts, but for the primary message to still be correct.
At the time of the first annual maintenance of the newly refurbished Doughboy in the spring of 2004, the Doughboy was rewaxed and two new plaques were added to the Doughboy plaza area. One lists Naperville veterans of WWI and the other lists the donors, committee members, and citizens of Naperville who contributed to the refurbishment.
----------------------
The Spirit of the American Doughboy
The American Legion Post 43 erected this sculpture in honor of those from Naperville who served in World War I. Artist E. M. Viquesney created the mold for the Doughboy and supervised the factory production in Spencer, Indiana. Calling the Doughboy his "greatest and most sincere effort", Viquesney aimed to capture every detail of the American Soldier. His intent was to create a democratic war memorial honoring the common soldier in each hometown throughout the United States. Today, the Doughboy remains one of the most viewed outdoor sculptures in America. It stands proudly in over 135 locations, including Burlington Square Park, for many years, the gateway to Naperville.
Artist: E. M. Viquesney Conservator: Giorgio Gikas
Dedicated: May 31, 1926 Rededicated: May 25, 2003
------------------------
It is not unusual for information about the creation and number of those standing to contain minor departures from the specific facts, but for the primary message to still be correct.
At the time of the first annual maintenance of the newly refurbished Doughboy in the spring of 2004, the Doughboy was rewaxed and two new plaques were added to the Doughboy plaza area. One lists Naperville veterans of WWI and the other lists the donors, committee members, and citizens of Naperville who contributed to the refurbishment.
Photo: Steve Hyett, Naperville
Doughboy Restoration Committee.
Doughboy Restoration Committee.
The Doughboy was acquired through the efforts of Burlington American Legion Post No. 43 and originally dedicated May 31, 1926. The photos at the top of the page show the Doughboy before and after its 2003 restoration. Its hand, bayonet, rifle and part of the barbed wire were missing. After restoration it was rededicated in a re-landscaped circular plaza area in the square. The restoration work was performed by Giorgio Gikas of Venus Bronze Works.
The photo at left shows the Doughboy in the repair shop.
The photo at left shows the Doughboy in the repair shop.
Photo: Sue Omanson, Naperville Parks District.
The May 25, 2003 rededication of the refurbished Doughboy in Naperville, Illinois. Former U. S. Senator Fred Thompson, one of the speakers for the occasion, is seated at the end of the row facing the camera. Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel is also seated facing the camera – wearing a tie with a different style of doughboy on it. The individual nearest the camera is Bud Boecker, a member of the committee that spearheaded the refurbishment and rededication. This photo was provided by Sue Omanson of the Naperville Park District – her daughter, Sara, sang the National Anthem at the ceremony.
Links:
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM5P6A
http://breakingthings.blogspot.com/2005/05/remembering.html
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/log.aspx?LUID=4ff51a2f-9ec8-469d-adde-74c70a09e6f7
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photos_by_laurence/2562751759/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/courthouselover/4880706351/in/set-72157625438966420/
http://www.centurywalk.org/art/art_details.cfm?artID=21
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM5P6A
http://breakingthings.blogspot.com/2005/05/remembering.html
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/log.aspx?LUID=4ff51a2f-9ec8-469d-adde-74c70a09e6f7
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photos_by_laurence/2562751759/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/courthouselover/4880706351/in/set-72157625438966420/
http://www.centurywalk.org/art/art_details.cfm?artID=21
