The Immigrants, (sculpture).

The Immigrants, (sculpture).

Hopen, W. D., sculptor.

The Immigrants, (sculpture).

1985. Dedicated Nov. 23, 1985.

Cast stone formed over a steel and wire mesh armature.

Approx. 8 x 16 x 5 ft. (approx. 8,000-10,000 lbs.).

(Front, north, on plaque mounted on sculpture:) THE IMMIGRANTS/ "...so build your community that quickened/conscience, larger vision, deeper devotion and/equality of rights for all will resolve itself/into an enthusiastic zeal for personal service/in the community. All who give service are/torch bearers"./Theodore Roosevelt/(Seal with inscription:) CLARKSBURG/1785-1985/200 YEARS/WEST VIRGINIA/(Below seal:) ERECTED BY THE PEOPLE OF CLARKSBURG AND/THE CLARKSBURG BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE/SCULPTURE BY/W.D. HOPEN OF SUTTON, WV/PROJECT DIRECTOR/JAMES M. POOL

A grouping of figures arranged against a mound-like shape covered with foliage and representing a mountain ridge. The figures form a historic timeline of the settlement of Harrison County over the past 200 years. Starting at the western edge of the sculpture, the arms and faces of two Native Americans emerge from the dense foliage which represents the primal forests of West Virginia. Moving eastward across the sculpture, the next figure in the chronology is that of a trapper wearing a fur cap and full beard, and holding a rifle. The next figures, representing the pioneer family, are a male figure clad in buckskins and carrying an ax, and a seated woman wearing a long dress and holding a baby. The next figure is a fomally-suited male clasping a book. He represents the professionals such as educators, physicians and lawyers.

At the east front of the monument is a group of laborers representing those who developed Harrison County's industries. A miner works with his pick near the base of the monument, while a glassblower, a stonemason, an oil and gas worker, and a black railroad builder, driving a spike in with a hammer, complete this grouping. At the eastern end of the monument is a family of immigrants. A man and a woman hold a child and a large suitcase. The man and woman wear heavy coats and the woman's head is covered with a shawl. The rear of the sculpture is textured with leaf shapes like those on the front. Near the center of the sculpture is a small vault which includes a time capsule to be opened in 2082.

History -- United States -- West Virginia

History -- United States -- Colonization

History -- United States -- Immigration

Ethnic -- Indian

Ethnic -- African American

Occupation -- Hunter -- Trapper

Occupation -- Industry

Outdoor Sculpture -- West Virginia -- Clarksburg

Administered by Harrison County, Harrison County Commission, Harrison County Courthouse, West Main & South Third Streets, Clarksburg, West Virginia 26301

Located Harrison County Courthouse, West Main & South Third Streets, Clarksburg, West Virginia 26301

Formerly located Bicentennial Park, Lowndes Hill, Clarksburg, West Virginia 1985-1986.

IAS files contain a related article from the Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram (Clarksburg, WV), Nov. 24, 1985, pg. 1D; and excerpts from "Clarksburg Bicentennial Book," 1985, pg. 174-175. This sculpture was commissioned by the Clarksburg Bicentennial Committee, cast and carved by Hopen. The monument was originally erected in Clarksburg's Bicentennial Park on top of Lowndes Hill, but in 1986 was relocated because of earth slippage to the Harrison County Courthouse grounds.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, West Virginia survey, 1992.

Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram (Clarksburg, WV), Nov. 24, 1985, pg. 1D.

Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram (Clarksburg, WV), Nov. 24, 1985, pg. 1D.

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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