Did you ever wonder who keeps a watchful eye over the University of Washington? It’s none other than George Washington himself, cast in bronze and standing tall. The George Washington Statue isn’t just a piece of art. It’s a piece of history, dedicated on Flag Day in 1909 during the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. Imagine schoolchildren from across Washington State, diligently saving their pennies to contribute to the statue’s creation. The Daughters of the American Revolution spearheaded this fundraising effort, collecting $6,000, with the State of Washington adding another $8,000. The sculptor, Lorado Taft, envisioned not just the statue, but also its pedestal. However, the pedestal’s completion wouldn’t happen until much later, in 1938, thanks to the Works Progress Administration. Now, the George Washington Statue stands proudly on its permanent pedestal. The statue faces west, towards the Olympic Mountains. It’s a powerful symbol of the nation’s first president, connecting the university’s vibrant present with the country’s rich past. The George Washington Statue has also been a focal point of discussions about historical figures and their legacies. In recent years, it has been the subject of protests and calls for removal, sparking conversations about Washington’s slave ownership. Despite the controversies, the George Washington Statue remains a prominent landmark on the University of Washington campus. It continues to inspire reflection on the complexities of history.
Gas Works Memorial Sundial Sculpture
A giant sundial. That’s what greets you at the top of Kite Hill in Seattle’s Gas Works Park. This isn’t