Soldiers Cenotaph, (sculpture).

Soldiers Cenotaph, (sculpture).

Pitkin, sculptor.

Soldiers Cenotaph, (sculpture).

Dedicated May 30, 1877.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: marble; Base: American granite.

Sculpture: approx. H. 10 ft.; Base: approx. 35 ft. x 109 in. x 109 in.

(On front of base:) (Raised lettering:) FREDERICKSBURG/(incised lettering:) ERECTED BY THE TOWN OF/AVON/IN MEMORY/TO HER DECEASED AND FALLEN SOLDIERS/WHOSE NAMES ARE/INSCRIBED HEREON/--/(raised lettering:) REST HERE/FOR THE NIGHT (One side of base, raised lettering:) ATLANTA/(panel with names) (Other side of base, raised lettering:) GETTYSBURG/(panel with names) (Remaining side of base, raised lettering:) WILDERNESS/(panel with names) unsigned

Mounted atop a tall, square shaft is a full-length figure of a Civil War infantryman standing at parade rest. The soldier faces west and grasps his rifle with both hands, the stock resting on the ground by his proper left foot. His proper right foot is extended forward. On the lower front of the column is a relief depicting an eagle with its wings spread above two cannons, a pile of cannonballs, a flag, and a five-pointed star. The shaft is mounted on a square base ornamented with horizontal cannon barrels carved on each corner. On each side of the shaft, steps lead up to the base. The monument is installed inside a square lot surrounded by a low curb. Each corner of the curb features a Civil War rifle.

History -- United States -- Civil War

Figure male -- Full length

Occupation -- Military -- Soldier

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Outdoor Sculpture -- New York -- Avon

Administered by Village of Avon, 27 Genesee Street, Avon, New York 14414

Located Park island circle in center of Avon, Avon, New York

The monument commemorates the soldiers of Avon, New York who died in the Civil War. It was erected by the Soldiers' Monument Association which was formed in the winter of 1865. The initial $200 for the monument was raised through various activities, including an address by W. H. C. Hosmer, known as the Bard of Avon, in Marsh Hall; a concert in the Methodist Church; and entertainment in the United States Hotel. Further amounts totaling $4,284 were raised by taxation in 1874 and 1876. The monument was dedicated on Memorial Day, May 30, 1877. IAS files contain an excerpt from a booklet by Marie C. Preston, entitled "Avon-Heart of the Genesee Country," pg. 23, 73.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, New York survey, 1994.

Preston, Marie C. "Avon-Heart of the Genesee Country," pg. 23.

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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