Alma Mater, (sculpture).

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Alma Mater, (sculpture).

Taft, Lorado Zadoc, 1860-1936, sculptor.

Berchem, Jules, 1855-1930, caster.

American Bronze Company, founder.

Alma Mater, (sculpture).

Charles H. Hackley Memorial, (sculpture).

Cast 1929. Dedicated Oct. 21, 1929.

Digital Reference:

Figure: bronze, coated; Base: granite.

Figure: approx. H. 10 ft. x W. 6 ft.; Exedra: approx. H. 6 ft. x W. 21 ft.

(Front of plinth:) LORADO TAFT SC. 1929 (Back of plinth:) CAST BY/AMERICAN ART BRONZE FOUNDRY-CHICAGO/1885 JULES BERCHEM AND SON-1929 (Center panel of exedra, in relief:) A TRIBUTE FROM A GRATEFUL COMMUNITY (Center panel of exedra, beneath bust relief, incised:) CHARLES.H.HACKLEY/1837 1905 signed Founder's mark appears.

A female figure representing Alma Mater stands dressed in Classical robes, her proper right hand resting on a decorated urn. The figure stands atop a square base in the center of an exedra that is adorned with relief panels on each side. On the base below the figure of Alma Mater is a profile portrait of Muskegon philanthropist and businessman Charles H. Hackley (1837-1905). The relief panel on the proper right side of the exedra depicts a reclining male figure representing Mercury. He is nude except for his winged hat. He leans against a basket full of fruit, his proper left arm resting on the basket, his proper right arm extended forward and holding a staff with a bird on it. The relief panel on the proper left side of the exedra depicts a reclining male figure in the arms of a kneeling female figure representing the Good Samaritan. The reliefs symbolize Charles Hackley's philanthropy and business interests.

Figure female -- Full length

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Education

Portrait male -- Hackley, Charles H. -- Bust

Portrait male -- Hackely, Charles H. -- Profile

Religion -- New Testament -- Good Samaritan

Mythology -- Classical -- Mercury

Outdoor Sculpture -- Michigan -- Muskegon

Administered by City of Muskegon, Board of Education, Southern Avenue, Muskegon, Michigan

Located Muskegon High School, Muskegon, Michigan

Charles H. Hackley, who made his fortune in Muskegon, donated money for the city's library, hospital, art museum, schools, a park, the Civil War Memorial, various public monuments. Much of his philanthropy centered on education and opportunities for children to succeed. Plans for a memorial to Hackley were first discussed by the Board of Education in 1922, and in 1927 the school superintendent recommended Lorado Taft as the sculptor for the memorial. The Hackley Memorial Association accepted the Taft design and a public fund raiser held in 1928 raised over $60,000 from the Muskegon community. Annual campaigns begun in 1922 raised $3,700 from children and teachers in the Muskegon schools. Originally, the memorial had a reflecting pool in front.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Michigan survey, 1993.

SOS Conservation Treatment Award, 2001.

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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