World War I Monument, (sculpture).

World War I Monument, (sculpture).

Shepherd, J. Clinton, 1888-1975, sculptor.

World War I Monument, (sculpture).

Doughboy, (sculpture).

Dedicated Nov. 9, 1930. Relocated 1987.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: bronze; Base: pink granite, unpolished.

Sculpture: approx. 12 x 3 x 3 ft.; Base: approx. 7 ft. 7 in. x 8 ft. x 8 ft.

(On east side of statue base:) J. Clinton Shepherd (On bronze plaque on front of base, raised letters:) 1917-1918/DEDICATED TO/THE CITIZENS/OF WESTPORT/WHO SERVED IN/THE WORLD/WAR/ERECTED NOVEMBER 11/1930 (On bronze plaque on side of base, raised letters:) HONOR ROLL, GAVE THEIR LIVES/(List of eight names follows)/(List of enlisted men alphabetically from A-K follows in two columns) (On bronze plaque on other side of base, raised letters:) HONOR ROLL, NURSES/(List of eight names follows)/(List of enlisted men alphabetically from L-Y follows in two columns) signed

A World War I soldier in uniform stands at ease holding a brimmed helmet down to his side in his proper left hand. His proper right hand holds the strap of a rifle slung over his proper right shoulder. The soldier carries a knapsack and camp kit on his back. The soldier is placed atop an attenuated base with plaques on its front and sides. The base is surrounded by nine matching pink granite stanchions that are linked by bronze swagged chains.

History -- United States -- World War I

Figure male -- Full length

Occupation -- Military -- Soldier

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Outdoor Sculpture -- Connecticut -- Westport

Administered by City of Westport, Department of Parks and Recreation, 260 South Compo Road, Westport, Connecticut 06880

Located Town Common, Opposite 110 Myrtle Street, Westport, Connecticut

Formerly located Old Post Road near the Sherwood Island Connector, until 1987.

The Town of Westport voted to erect a monument in 1925 and in 1928 the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars initiated a fundraising campaign resulting in $10,000. The monument was dedicated by Governor John H. Trumbull with over 3,000 spectators. The monument was moved in 1987 from Old Post Road near the Sherwood Island Connector to its present location. IAS files contain a related excerpt from Joanna Foster's "Stories from Westport's Past," 1985, pg. 34, 35. IAS files contain related articles from Westport News, July 24, 1985; May 2, 1986; and May 20, 1988. The Westport News article from May 20, 1988 contains a newsphoto of the monument taken during the dedication ceremony. This photo caption notes that the monument was dedicated on Nov. 9, 1930.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Connecticut survey, 1994.

Westport News, May 2, 1986, pg. 8.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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