Sylvanus P. Jermain, (sculpture).

Sylvanus P. Jermain, (sculpture).

Kern, Josephine, sculptor.

Sylvanus P. Jermain, (sculpture).

Sculpture: bronze; Base: granite.

Sculpture: approx. H. 32 in. x Diam. 20 1/2 in.; Base: approx. 26 x 70 x 40 in.

Josephine Kern signed

Sylvanus Pierre Jermain stands bent over a golf ball with driver in hand. He wears a golf cap, jacket and trousers. He stands on a bronze disk which serves as a sundial. The sculpture is mounted atop a boulder.

Portrait male -- Jermain, Sylvanus Pierre -- Full length

Occupation -- Sport -- Golf

Occupation -- Art -- Landscape Architect

Outdoor Sculpture -- Ohio -- Toledo

Administered by City of Toledo, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, 2201 Ottawa Parkway Drive, Toledo, Ohio 43606

Located Ottawa Park Golf Course, Pro Shop on Ottawa Parkway, Toledo, Ohio

Formerly located Golf Shop, Corner of Bancroft & Ottawa Parkway, Toledo, Ohio

The sculpture honors Sylvanus Pierre Jermain, often referred to as the "father of public golf in America." For 26 years Jermain was treasurer of the Woolson Spice Company. He was a member of Toledo's park commission and later served as the city welfare director. While in these positions, he was responsible for a number of civic improvements in Toledo, including creating the city's system of parks and boulevards; opposing railroad and other interests from encroaching on park and waterfront areas; and doubling the number of city fire stations. Jermain is most remembered for his promotion of golf facilities for the masses and as a designer of golf courses, including the Ottawa Park course, which was established in 1899, and was the nation's first public links west of New York City.

The exact creation date of the sculpture is unknown. A photograph reprinted in The Blade (Toledo, OH), Oct. 21, 1984, shows Jermain standing next to the sculpture in 1928; and SOS! survey states that sculpture was stolen in 1929 (and later recovered). However, another newspaper clipping in IAS files dated Oct. 31, 1948, reports the sculpture was commissioned by Jermain's friends after his death in 1935. The sculpture was stolen again in 1940, but was subsequently recovered. The sculpture was loaned to Inverness for P.G.A. 1993. The sculpture was cleaned and waxed in September of 1994. IAS files contain related articles from The Blade (Toledo, OH), May 22, 1929 and Oct. 21, 1984.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Ohio, Toledo survey, 1994.

The Blade (Toledo, OH), Oct. 21, 1984.

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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