AUBURN — Fundraising to restore an important work of art, the Edward Little sculpture by artist Franklin Simmons, is underway, thanks to members in several alumni classes of Edward Little High School.
Like Bob Gardner, 81, and other members of the Class of 1951. And Brian Harris, 74, and other members of the Class of 1959.
In the early stages of fundraising, about $2,000 has been raised, according to high school secretary Nancy Cyr. Between $18,000 and $20,000 is needed to restore the sculpture, EL Principal Jim Miller said.
When Gardner attended the old Edward Little on Academy Street, no one paid much attention to the Edward Little statue until football season.
“I do remember it being there, especially before the football games,” he said Tuesday. Members of the opposing team “would come over and decorate it in the middle of the night,” sending a message of disrespect.
Pumpkins have been smashed on the sculpture. It’s been littered with beer cans, hit with paint, alcohol and other substances. Once restored, it will be returned to its original gold-bronze color, chemically treated to stabilize what’s called “bronze disease” and stop erosion from time and exposure.
Alan Manoian, economic development specialist with the city, recently spoke to EL alumni about Simmons’ statue, telling them the artist was born in Sabattus, attended Bates College and by the time he was 26, was an important artist in Washington, D.C. He painted and sculpted President Abraham Lincoln, members of his cabinet and Civil War leaders. Simmons later moved to Europe and died in Rome in 1913.
The sculpture of Edward Little, who founded the school, was ordered by the city of Auburn in 1873, cast and sculpted by Simmons in Rome, and sent across the ocean on a clipper ship to New York City. From there, it was sent to Auburn by railroad. It was unveiled during a ceremony in 1877, attended by thousands.
Manoian told EL alumni they had a “world class” work of art that’s been neglected.
“It was quite interesting,” said Harris, Class of 1959.
The talk, plus articles in the Sun Journal, prompted them to get involved.
“We decided we’d help out and raise money as a class,” he said. Some have already donated, he said.
Gardner said his classmates “had no idea” about the treasure in their midst. “It was an impressive statue. But I don’t think most of us had an appreciation for its significance.” After learning the history, “it’s pretty awesome,” Gardner said. “We will be contacting class members.”
The Class of 1951 does more than hold reunions every five years; members meet once a month for lunch at Rolandeau’s Restaurant.
“We just celebrated our 21st anniversary of monthly luncheons,” Gardner said.
For years, the class has awarded scholarships to graduating seniors.
“We have a lot of pride in the school and try to show it,” he said.
Miller said he’s heard from other alumni classes. With the class reunion season approaching, now is a good time to ask alumni to donate, he said.
“Our goal is to get around $18,000 to $20,000, and our goal is to get it done this summer,” he said. “If not enough money can be raised through alumni, high school students will get involved in the fall.”
Manoian said Simmons did amazing work creating the sculpture, that the “thoughtful look on Edward Little’s face,” his well-formed hands and the cape that drapes the philanthropist are profound.
Simmons also sculpted a Civil War soldier in Lewiston’s Kennedy Park. His work is in Portland’s Monument Square and on display in Washington, D.C.
Once restored, Manoian said it should be in a prominent location “to maximize its social, cultural and economic potential.”
Miller said it should stay where it is.
“We will not give up our namesake,” Miller said. “As long as the school is called Edward Little, why would we change the location? Why take the mascot away from the school?”
bwashuk@sunjournal.com
How to donate, and Edward Little history
AUBURN — Edward Little High School alumni interested in donating money to restore the EL sculpture should contact school secretary Nancy Cyr at ncyr@auburnschl.edu.
She can also be reached at 207-333-6652. The mailing address is 77 Harris St., Auburn, ME, 04210. Checks should be made out to Edward Little High School with a notation that the money is a donation for the statue restoration.
Edward Little’s father was a descendant of one of the first settlers of Auburn. Edward Little was born in Massachusetts, became a successful attorney and entrepreneur and eventually moved to Maine.
After his father’s death in 1830, he inherited land in Auburn and donated money to what was initially the Lewiston Falls Academy, later the Little Institute, and finally, Edward Little High School.
Little lived in the Edward Little House and died in 1849.
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