Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Drawing, Technical |
Catalog Number |
2016.009.01 |
Description |
Pencil drawing on brown craft paper. Construction plan for the "Big Indian" statue in Riverside Park. Artist's notes: "Random pipe bends of welds as need is felt for additional fill." Additional notes in ink by someone else: "1/4, this is one of 4 origional sketches of the Big Indian in Riverside Park drawn by Anthony Zimmerhakl. Verified by S.J. Zimmerhakl son + co-worker." |
Made By |
Anthony Zimmerhakl |
Date |
c. 1960 |
Dimensions |
H-23.5 W-18 inches |
Height (in) |
23.500 |
Width (in) |
18.000 |
People |
Zimmerhakl, Anthony |
Subjects |
Art "Things that Matter" |
Search Terms |
Riverside Park Hiawatha "Things that Matter" |
Notes |
Featured in Things that Matter This Things That Matter is dedicated to Hiawatha. Not the historic Hiawatha revered by some Native Americans, but the other Hiawatha. The one that European-Americans have romanticized and idolized ever since Longfellow's poem was published in 1855. Several generations of schoolchildren memorized passages from this long epic, and other artists, writers and musicians used it as inspiration for a century or more. The influence of Longfellow's noble savage, who supplanted authentic Indian history in mainstream culture, can't be underestimated. This is the Hiawatha who stands watch at the north end of Riverside Park, observing the citizens of La Crosse, as they argue past each other about his crimes and virtues. Does he honor the Native Americans of the region, or does he negate the very reality of their existence? This technical drawing is one of Anthony Zimmerhakl's original plans for the statue. It shows an armature of iron rods around double central beams, confirming that the statue is hollow. Notes on the drawing reflect the artist's thought process, and show his understanding of his medium-concrete. There is also a note in another handwriting that states: "this is one of 4 original sketches of the Big Indian in Riverside Park drawn by Anthony Zimmerhakl. Verified by S.J. Zimmerhakl son + co-worker." This sketch is in the collection of the La Crosse County Historical Society; it was donated by Mary A. Grass, a former Zimmerhakl neighbor. As Executive Director of the La Crosse County Historical Society, I have an ulterior motive for writing about the controversial statue. I want to toot our horn, and let readers know about an opportunity to learn the real history of the statue in Riverside Park. One of the best-kept secrets in La Crosse is our quarterly newsletter, Past, Present & Future, which members receive, and which always features a lengthy article on local history. In the past two years we have published articles on local architecture, Hmong resettlement in La Crosse, German singing and shooting societies, and the first woman minister to serve at a church here: any subject that encompasses the story of life in the Coulee Region is likely to be documented in Past, Present & Future. Ours is the only publication focusing on regional La Crosse history, and our articles are well-researched and well-written. After realizing how little people know about how the statue in Riverside Park got there, or why it is called Hiawatha, we decided to dedicate an issue to its history. We also invited a couple of respected local writers to give their personal perspectives on the controversy. LCHS is not taking a side in this dispute, but we feel we have a role to play in both educating the public about the history behind the statue and in providing a respected public venue for the sharing of ideas. Recent discussions have led me to believe that public opinion is becoming more divided, even as we approach a point where the city of La Crosse may determine that it doesn't want to be defined by an anachronistic mid-Twentieth Century roadside attraction. In that case, Hiawatha will either come down or be moved elsewhere. If that happens, he will be missed by many, and they may feel that their history, their identity, is being taken from them and being publicly erased. Personal memories that we share with others are the most basic level of community identity. As a local historian, I cannot ignore or dismiss it. It matters. It's part of who we are. But it is also a part of who we are not, and that is the crux of this dilemma. This article was originally published in the La Crosse Tribune. Title: Hometown Nostalgia Author: Peggy Derrick Publish Date: March 3, 2018 |