The E. M. Viquesney "Spirit of the American Doughboy" Database
NEW CASTLE, INDIANA
N 39° 57.101 / W 085° 23.085
Copyright version 1920, pressed copper.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: 47260035.
Copyright version 1920, pressed copper.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: 47260035.
In northeast section of Memorial Park just north of New Castle. Below Waycross Drive, just south of maintenance buildings and west of Park Road 3. It stands on a large earthen mound covered with shrubs and foliage (a common setting designed by Viquesney), looking down on Park Road 3 about 50 feet to the east.
The inscription on a plaque in front of the Doughboy, barely visible at the lower left of the photograph, reads:
ERECTED BY
HENRY COUNTY CHAPTER
AMERICAN WAR MOTHERS
IN HONOR OF
THE BOYS FROM THIS COUNTY
WHO SERVED DURING THE
WORLD WAR
1917 - 1918
HENRY COUNTY CHAPTER
AMERICAN WAR MOTHERS
IN HONOR OF
THE BOYS FROM THIS COUNTY
WHO SERVED DURING THE
WORLD WAR
1917 - 1918
The Doughboy was presented to the county by the Henry County Chapter of the American War Mothers, and dedicated August 25, 1929.
The sculpture was not in good condition when the photograph was taken in March 2000. It had been painted, but the paint had cracked. The bayonet and rifle sling were missing. The left hand had broken loose from the cuff at and had been wired back on to keep it in place. Because of that, the rifle was swaying in the breeze. It is not known what has taken place since then, but at that time the photograph was taken, the sculpture was in major need of cleaning, and repair, and the application of a preservative that would not cause further chemical damage.
As of May, 2010 the sculpture was still in urgent need of restoration, with the left hand still nearly broken off.
The sculpture was not in good condition when the photograph was taken in March 2000. It had been painted, but the paint had cracked. The bayonet and rifle sling were missing. The left hand had broken loose from the cuff at and had been wired back on to keep it in place. Because of that, the rifle was swaying in the breeze. It is not known what has taken place since then, but at that time the photograph was taken, the sculpture was in major need of cleaning, and repair, and the application of a preservative that would not cause further chemical damage.
As of May, 2010 the sculpture was still in urgent need of restoration, with the left hand still nearly broken off.
Links:
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/log.aspx?LUID=7e86cf7a-3944-4d1d-bcdc-f9be222c54b3
http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?MarkerID=32074
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/log.aspx?LUID=7e86cf7a-3944-4d1d-bcdc-f9be222c54b3
http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?MarkerID=32074
