“Stolen plaques a disgrace” That’s what the article said about the Robert Burns Memorial Statue. Here we stand before it in Garfield Park Chicago. This bronze statue sculpted by William Grant Stevenson of Scotland honors the famed poet Robert Burns. Governor Charles S Deneen dedicated it on August 25 1906. The effort to erect this monument began way back in 1880 thanks to the Burns Memorial and Monument Association.
Originally four bronze plaques adorned its base. They depicted scenes from Burns’ life and works. Sadly these plaques were stolen sometime before 1909. A search of Chicago newspapers yielded nothing. The theft remains a mystery. It’s a real shame. The statue stands a little forlorn now.
Think of the stories these missing plaques could tell. They’d show scenes from his poems. They’d bring to life his words. They’d connect us to his time. His legacy lives on. He’s known for Auld Lang Syne. Many of his songs are still sung today. Yet the loss of these plaques is a significant blow. It robs this monument of a bit of its splendor.
The article mentions similar statues. They stand in Milwaukee Denver and Fredericton. Those statues still have their plaques intact. Why was Chicago’s statue targeted? Why was nothing done to replace the stolen pieces? The article even suggests fundraising to restore the base. Perhaps that can be made possible. It would show the world that Chicago still values Robert Burns.
This statue isn’t just a pretty sight. It represents shared cultural heritage. It’s a reminder of Scotland’s impact on American culture. It’s a link between two countries. It’s also a reminder of what can be lost when we’re careless. The Robert Burns Memorial Statue a proud monument awaits its full restoration. Let’s hope it will be complete one day.