 Above: The Doughboy in March, 2000. At right, an old postcard view.
|
|
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 above, left, 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.
Update July 19, 2017: The Doughboy is to be refurbished at a cost of $10,000 by a company in Detroit, Michigan, according to an article in the New Castle Courier-Times. The surrounding park area is to be upgraded as well.
Update August, 2017: The park board accepted a plan to move the statue to the W.G. Smith Building, which has generated stiff opposition among many New Castle residents.
Update September 21,2017: The Park Board has slated $8,000 for the Doughboy's restoration.
Update November 9, 2017: The Doughboy restoration project is still looking for funds from the city of New Castle. The plan is to have the Doughboy restored and ready for public display by July 4, 2018. The official dedication of the monument is planned for Nov. 11, 2018, the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
Update November 14, 2017: The statue was taken down for much-needed repair and restoration.The park board accepted a plan in August to move the statue to the W.G. Smith Building. There is still a strong bloc of residents firmly opposed to the move.
The sculpture was not in good condition when the photograph above, left, 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.
Update July 19, 2017: The Doughboy is to be refurbished at a cost of $10,000 by a company in Detroit, Michigan, according to an article in the New Castle Courier-Times. The surrounding park area is to be upgraded as well.
Update August, 2017: The park board accepted a plan to move the statue to the W.G. Smith Building, which has generated stiff opposition among many New Castle residents.
Update September 21,2017: The Park Board has slated $8,000 for the Doughboy's restoration.
Update November 9, 2017: The Doughboy restoration project is still looking for funds from the city of New Castle. The plan is to have the Doughboy restored and ready for public display by July 4, 2018. The official dedication of the monument is planned for Nov. 11, 2018, the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
Update November 14, 2017: The statue was taken down for much-needed repair and restoration.The park board accepted a plan in August to move the statue to the W.G. Smith Building. There is still a strong bloc of residents firmly opposed to the move.
