For the past six years, Bostonians and tourists alike have been having fun with the women of Commonwealth Avenue Mall – Abigail Adams, Phillis Wheatley and Lucy Stone.
Here's Phillis as she was found with a sweater and flowers last fall.
Images of the three, represented on the Boston Women's Memorial, have been gifted with flowers, hats, and scarves. Visitors mimic their poses for souvenir photos. Children climb on them. And, in warm weather, it’s not unusual to see someone having lunch with one of the sculptures.
That’s exactly what planners hoped would happen. “Although each figure is engrossed in her thoughts and her work, they invite approach, contemplation and touch,” said sculptor Meredith Bergmann in her proposal for the commission.
Creating the Memorial
When she walked the mall to see the setting for the project, Bergmann envisioned the opportunity to bring these women down from their pedestals and allow them to use those pedestals for their own purpose – “…a worktable, a desk, and a support for contemplation.” She also wished that she knew more about the other statues in the park and therefore included a brief biography of each woman in her work.
The documents from the project allow a peek into the workings of a creative mind. These women would have been about 5’3”tall but the artist chose to make them 6’4” so that they would be “a larger-than-life presence without making them overwhelming or grotesque when seen close up.”
She depicted the women at different ages forming another symbolic circle. Phillis is portrayed at age 20, Lucy at 52, and Abigail at 65. Samples of the writings of each woman are carved into her granite support, and people of all ages stop to read the excerpts.
(Abigail and Lucy are shown in the second photo)
The Entire Block is a Memorial
Those who are attentive while walking to and from the memorial, will discover more words worth reading. The entire block, from Gloucester to Fairfield, celebrates the accomplishments of women. At the foot of each bench is an inspirational message from a woman– including a quote from tennis star Venus Williams and a passage from the Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams.
The bench quotes were selected by Beacon Street resident Harriet Lewis, who sponsored all the benches on the block. Each bench is dedicated to a person in her life, and the quote on its plaque is one that reminded her of that person. “I wanted people to pause when they read them. When someone is sitting there resting, they might have a few minutes to think and this quote might spur them to reflect,” said Lewis.
Another sponsor, the New England Women’s Club, brought the plantings into the story. They dedicated a tree to Julia Ward Howe, writer of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
The benches, new trees, and Bergmann’s design have settled into the fabric of the neighborhood and become a favorite landmark. The memorial is a good place to meet friends, because it’s a place for thought and education. You can study the writings of the three while you wait. Or, you can sit on Phillis’ desk, lean next to Abigail or step up onto Lucy’s base for a better view.
Continuing Care
A couple of year ago we came acoss sculptor Meredith Bergmann supervising a group of volunteers who were carefully and lovingly waxing and polishing the sculptures to preserve the finish. Donations for continuing care of this memorial may be made to the Friends of the Public Garden. This is the group that is spearheading the care and restoration of the sculpture in the three park it represents– The Boston Common, Public Garden and Commonwealth Avenue Mall.
Related Posts:
Here's a link to find all the posts we have done on the Boston Women's Memorial
Here's The BostonZest Amazon Selection of the Day. The Women's Memorial is part of The Boston Women's Heritage Trail. Here's a guidebook to that tour.
Details:
Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: ©2007-2009 Penny Cherubino
(A version of this article was published in the Back Bay Sun)
Related links:
Boston Women's Memorial
Boston Women's Heritage Trail
Commonwealth Avenue Mall Committee
Friends of the Public Garden
Meredith Bergmann
