Embedded Files
DESCRIPTION: 3 piece cast bronze sculptural tribute to Whittier's women, consisting of a pair of cast bronze double-sided high relief gate sculptures flanking a life-size sculpture of a small girl
This sculpture installation was dedicated on October 9, 2004 and contains extensive inscriptions on the reverse sides of the two gate panels:
The below text of the inscriptions is an accurate transcription (containing minor differences from the City of Whittier's online data).
- left gate panel: 106-inch high by 40-inch wide by 22-inch deep; high relief on the front depicting Harriet Strong (1844-1926) and her four children surrounded by pampas grass; bas relief sculpture and inscription by the artist titled "Women of Whittier" on the back
- right gate panel: 112-inch high by 38-inch wide by 10-inch deep, high relief on the front depicting Florence Maple Thomburgh surrounded by hollyhocks
- girl sculpture: 46-inch high by 16-inch wide by 18-inch deep cast bronze sculpture
This sculpture installation was dedicated on October 9, 2004 and contains extensive inscriptions on the reverse sides of the two gate panels:
- "Women of Whittier" composed by sculptor Guy A. Wilson;
- "People, Place and Meaning" [composer unknown]; and dedication text.
The below text of the inscriptions is an accurate transcription (containing minor differences from the City of Whittier's online data).
LOCATION: Lou Henry Hoover Park, 10839 Beverly Boulevard, Whittier, California, USA
TEXT FROM GATE PANELS:
"WOMEN OF WHITTIERHerstory may be found pressed within the pages of history where contributions extend to virtually every field of the arts and sciences.Their impression on this earth is found through the seeds they nourished, the lives they touched and the fabric of community in which they lived.Her stories are like fallen leaves that nourish and inform the ground we walk upon.Within the garden, living things in their abundance and diversity symbolize and inspire aspects of the human condition. The garden reflects a space of experience, a space of opportunity and a space of infinite possibilities.The Garden Gate signifies the garden within each individual and celebrates the collective spirit in the community of Whittier today. From established roots they continue to grow. Reaching skyward, beyond themselves, they speak to us of our past and inspire our future."Guy A. Wilson"PEOPLE, PLACE and MEANINGThrough time these hills have witnessed people of various cultures. All have left their impression upon its soil. The Tonga Gabrielano people were perhaps the earliest. They journeyed through this site upon a footpath that extended from the Pacific Ocean to the San Gabriel Mountains beyond. Spanish and Mexican travelers also utilized this ancient trail. It was known as North Walk. One of Whittier’s earliest settlers recognized the potential of this garden setting. Harriet Williams Russell Strong, with her husband Charles, purchased 220 acres from Pio Pico, California’s last Mexican Governor. The Strong Ranch, known as Rancho Del Fuertethrived with the harvest of citrus fruit and walnut trees. These trees provided a vehicle by whichindividuals were transported and transformed into a community. North Walk eventually became Norwalk Boulevard. Through time footprints became a path and the footpath a boulevard. "
"The bas-relief images were researched through the generosity of the Whittier Museum and the Whittier Historical Society. The left door of this gateway representsHarriet Williams Russell Strong (1844-1926) with her four daughters, Harriet Russell, MaryLyman Russell, Georgina Pierpont Russell and Nelle de Luce Russell. The right doorrepresents Florence Maple Thomburgh (1887-1994) . The Garden Gate celebrates theaccomplishments of the women of Whitter past, present and future."
"The bas-relief images were researched through the generosity of the Whittier Museum and the Whittier Historical Society. The left door of this gateway representsHarriet Williams Russell Strong (1844-1926) with her four daughters, Harriet Russell, MaryLyman Russell, Georgina Pierpont Russell and Nelle de Luce Russell. The right doorrepresents Florence Maple Thomburgh (1887-1994) . The Garden Gate celebrates theaccomplishments of the women of Whitter past, present and future."
Page updated
Report abuse