Henry Ford Memorial, historical reliefs [Plaster]
Dublin Core
Title
Henry Ford Memorial, historical reliefs [Plaster]
Subject
Figure sculpture, American--20th century
Animal sculpture--20th century
Animal sculpture--20th century
Description
Henry Ford Memorial, historical reliefs, 1975
Childhood, upper left relief
Plaster original
The Ford Empire, upper right relief
Plaster original
Formative Years, lower left relief
Plaster original
Ford Cars, lower right relief
Plaster original
The following description was prepared by Fredericks at the time of the installation of the sculpture and reliefs:
"The Henry Ford Memorial is in front of the new Henry Ford Centennial Library, across Michigan Avenue from the Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn.
The four bronze reliefs flanking the over life size figure of Mr. Ford are intended to tell the story of his life. Inasmuch as most people will never read a book or even an article about Mr. Ford, they can learn a great deal about him (without effort) through these sculptures.
The upper left relief depicts him during his childhood. It shows the farm activities in which he participated, including an anvil, as he was an expert blacksmith; early school life including McGuffy's Readers which he loved; the actual school house he attended, school desks, bell, etc. The great steam road engine he first saw and which inspired him to be a mechanic, with him running beside it, with a farm wagon and horses rearing up in fright; and he, as a youth, doing his watch repairing.
The lower left depicts him as a young man, timbering and cutting lumber. Henry and his wife, Clara, riding in the sleigh he made. The "Square House" he built by hand; the famous steam engine he operated; and Henry and Clara bicycling.
The lower right relief shows many of the vehicles Mr. Ford created including the first tractor; his first car with him driving; the famous model "T"; the first truck; his first commercial car; and two of his famous racing cars including "Old 99" with himself at the wheel and his friend Barney Oldfield assisting.
The upper right shows most of the buildings historically important to the Ford Empire, including his first little workshop and the Ford World Headquarters. Also, depicted are many of the Ford products such as cars, planes, trains, and the Great Lakes freighters."
Childhood, upper left relief
Plaster original
The Ford Empire, upper right relief
Plaster original
Formative Years, lower left relief
Plaster original
Ford Cars, lower right relief
Plaster original
The following description was prepared by Fredericks at the time of the installation of the sculpture and reliefs:
"The Henry Ford Memorial is in front of the new Henry Ford Centennial Library, across Michigan Avenue from the Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn.
The four bronze reliefs flanking the over life size figure of Mr. Ford are intended to tell the story of his life. Inasmuch as most people will never read a book or even an article about Mr. Ford, they can learn a great deal about him (without effort) through these sculptures.
The upper left relief depicts him during his childhood. It shows the farm activities in which he participated, including an anvil, as he was an expert blacksmith; early school life including McGuffy's Readers which he loved; the actual school house he attended, school desks, bell, etc. The great steam road engine he first saw and which inspired him to be a mechanic, with him running beside it, with a farm wagon and horses rearing up in fright; and he, as a youth, doing his watch repairing.
The lower left depicts him as a young man, timbering and cutting lumber. Henry and his wife, Clara, riding in the sleigh he made. The "Square House" he built by hand; the famous steam engine he operated; and Henry and Clara bicycling.
The lower right relief shows many of the vehicles Mr. Ford created including the first tractor; his first car with him driving; the famous model "T"; the first truck; his first commercial car; and two of his famous racing cars including "Old 99" with himself at the wheel and his friend Barney Oldfield assisting.
The upper right shows most of the buildings historically important to the Ford Empire, including his first little workshop and the Ford World Headquarters. Also, depicted are many of the Ford products such as cars, planes, trains, and the Great Lakes freighters."
Creator
Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998
Date
1975
Rights
Use of this image requires permission from the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum
Relation
Type
Sculpture
Coverage
University Center (Mich.)
Sculpture Item Type Metadata
Physical Dimensions
27" x 51"
Materials
Plaster
Catalog Number
1991.087
1991.088
1991.089
1991.090
1991.088
1991.089
1991.090
Object Location
Main Exhibit Gallery
Provenance
1989 March, 22 Gift to Museum and SVSU Board of Control
Notes
From Jennifer Lentz (Collection Documentation Intern 1991-1992)
Memo dated August 7, 1991
"RE: Henry Ford Memorial at the Henry Ford Centennial Library
They had limited information regarding the memorial at the library but a reference librarian suggested contacting Ford Motor Company's Archives, (313) 271-1620. Marcy Jefferson from the Henry Ford Estate suggested contacting the Dearborn Historical Society of Dr. Van D. Mericas of Dearborn who was mentioned in an article obtained from the library from the Dearborn Guide Newspapers, June 12, 1975. The library is on the south side of Michigan Avenue just east of M 39."
From Jennifer Lentz (Collection Documentation Intern 1991-1992)
Memo dated April 3, 1992:
"RE: Henry Ford Memorial, Dearborn
Molly gave me some additional information from her notes. The foundry that cast the figure and the reliefs was the Mengel Art Foundry in Detroit. The Verde Antique marble came from Vermont Marble Company in Proctor, Vermont.
In 1948 the people of Dearborn formed the Henry Ford Statue Committee to gather funds for a memorial for Henry Ford however fund raising didn't get off the ground. In 1968 there were new plans for a memorial and by 1975 the funds were raised. Thus it was funded by small contributions from local people and Mr. Fredericks contributed most of his services.
There is a book at the Henry Ford Centennial Library which lists all the donors. Mr. Fredericks also designed a commemorative medallion commissioned by Manufacturers Bank to be given out at the dedication of the memorial. There are three quotes on the back of the Verde Antique marble wall by Henry Ford. "Education is the greatest force of civilization." "I deeply admire the men who founded this country and I think we ought to know more about them and how they lived and force and courage they had." "work is the natural thing to do."
From Jennifer Lentz (Collection Documentation Intern 1991-1992)
Memo dated March 6, 1992:
"RE: Henry Ford Memorial at the Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn
I called the Industrial Archives to see if they have any correspondence regarding the memorial. The woman I spoke to said if there was any correspondence it would be there but it would be nearly impossible to find. It sounded like she was the only person working there and most of the records are not catalogued."
Memo dated August 7, 1991
"RE: Henry Ford Memorial at the Henry Ford Centennial Library
They had limited information regarding the memorial at the library but a reference librarian suggested contacting Ford Motor Company's Archives, (313) 271-1620. Marcy Jefferson from the Henry Ford Estate suggested contacting the Dearborn Historical Society of Dr. Van D. Mericas of Dearborn who was mentioned in an article obtained from the library from the Dearborn Guide Newspapers, June 12, 1975. The library is on the south side of Michigan Avenue just east of M 39."
From Jennifer Lentz (Collection Documentation Intern 1991-1992)
Memo dated April 3, 1992:
"RE: Henry Ford Memorial, Dearborn
Molly gave me some additional information from her notes. The foundry that cast the figure and the reliefs was the Mengel Art Foundry in Detroit. The Verde Antique marble came from Vermont Marble Company in Proctor, Vermont.
In 1948 the people of Dearborn formed the Henry Ford Statue Committee to gather funds for a memorial for Henry Ford however fund raising didn't get off the ground. In 1968 there were new plans for a memorial and by 1975 the funds were raised. Thus it was funded by small contributions from local people and Mr. Fredericks contributed most of his services.
There is a book at the Henry Ford Centennial Library which lists all the donors. Mr. Fredericks also designed a commemorative medallion commissioned by Manufacturers Bank to be given out at the dedication of the memorial. There are three quotes on the back of the Verde Antique marble wall by Henry Ford. "Education is the greatest force of civilization." "I deeply admire the men who founded this country and I think we ought to know more about them and how they lived and force and courage they had." "work is the natural thing to do."
From Jennifer Lentz (Collection Documentation Intern 1991-1992)
Memo dated March 6, 1992:
"RE: Henry Ford Memorial at the Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn
I called the Industrial Archives to see if they have any correspondence regarding the memorial. The woman I spoke to said if there was any correspondence it would be there but it would be nearly impossible to find. It sounded like she was the only person working there and most of the records are not catalogued."
Files
Citation
Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998, “Henry Ford Memorial, historical reliefs [Plaster],” Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, accessed April 23, 2024, https://omeka.svsu.edu/items/show/5134.