The E. M. Viquesney "Spirit of the American Doughboy" Database
Photo provided by Edward M. Pierog,
Research Coordinator, Washington County Historical Society.
Research Coordinator, Washington County Historical Society.
WEST BEND, WISCONSIN
N 43° 25.236 / W 088° 10.961
Copyright version 1920, pressed copper.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: 47260132.
Copyright version 1920, pressed copper.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: 47260132.
In Washington County Veterans’ Memorial Plaza in Old Courthouse Square, 320 South Fifth Avenue.
The inscription on the plaque on the front of the pedestal reads:
1917 1918
IN HONOR OF THOSE OF
WASHINGTON COUNTY
WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY
1917 1918
IN HONOR OF THOSE OF
WASHINGTON COUNTY
WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY
(followed by a listing of names that continues in multiple columns on all four sides. It includes 1,054 who served in the Civil War and 33 who served in the Spanish American War. There are 1,469 names of those who served in the World War – 1,337 Army, 114 Navy, 10, Marine, 8 Nurses.)
The Doughboy was dedicated Sunday November 13, 1927 in an observation that included a major parade with veterans of the Civil and Spanish American Wars in autos, and walking veterans of the World War.
A nearby monument was placed in 1998 to recognize those who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. It names 79 who gave their lives in World War II, 21 in Korea and 28 in Vietnam. The area also has granite markers honoring 23 County veterans groups or organizations.
A nearby monument was placed in 1998 to recognize those who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. It names 79 who gave their lives in World War II, 21 in Korea and 28 in Vietnam. The area also has granite markers honoring 23 County veterans groups or organizations.
Photo provided by Edward M. Pierog, Research Coordinator, Washington County Historical Society.
A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel picture of the crowd of 10,000 at the November 13, 1929 dedication of West Bend’s Doughboy – visible in the center distance.
* * *
A major restoration project led by the Washington County Historical Society was performed by Tony Rajer of Fine Arts Conservation Services, Madison, Wisconsin, in 1999-2000, and the Doughboy was rededicated May 30, 2000. A time capsule placed in the Doughboy’s pedestal when it was erected, but of which there was no known record, was found during the restoration. Its contents included a list of about 4,000 school children, from over 100 county schools in several townships, who made small contributions totaling $253 of the $6,000 original cost of the sculpture, pedestal and site improvements (about $4,000 was paid by the County and the rest by popular subscription).
The photo is from the May 15, 2000 Milwaukee Journal Sentinal, showing Art Conservator Tony Rajer (left), Metals Engineer Tom Pankratz, and Patina Specialist Martha Glowacki of Fine Arts Conservation Services, Madison, Wisconsin, restoring West Bend’s Doughboy. As part of the year 2000 restoration fundraiser, 100 pennies from 1927 (the year the Doughboy was first dedicated) and 750 pennies from the year 2000 were re-struck on their backs with an image of the Doughboy. The 1927 pennies sold for five dollars each; the year 2000 pennies sold for two dollars.
The photo is from the May 15, 2000 Milwaukee Journal Sentinal, showing Art Conservator Tony Rajer (left), Metals Engineer Tom Pankratz, and Patina Specialist Martha Glowacki of Fine Arts Conservation Services, Madison, Wisconsin, restoring West Bend’s Doughboy. As part of the year 2000 restoration fundraiser, 100 pennies from 1927 (the year the Doughboy was first dedicated) and 750 pennies from the year 2000 were re-struck on their backs with an image of the Doughboy. The 1927 pennies sold for five dollars each; the year 2000 pennies sold for two dollars.
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