Dear Friends and Neighbors,

 

Why not expand on Judy’s idea and have Grover Cleveland sitting on one end of a park bench.  Great photo opps for everyone:  Zoo traffic.  Birthday party guests, local politicians, prom dates, brides & grooms.  The groom could bring a top hat as a prop to be photographed in.

 

 

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I remember when I was assigned to the American Embassy in London in the 90's a statue of Churchill and FDR was dedicated on Bond Street. It is lifesize and quickly became a hit for visiting tourists--many of whom found themselves shopping or sightseeing on Bond Street. People would often put their children between Churchill and FDR and take a picture. It is now, many years later, a well known London landmark, and is still popular among Londoners as well as tourists. Having seen it again a few years ago, I can attest it shows no signs of wear in spite of the number of visitors who see it regularly. I can imagine the same reaction to a statue of Grover Cleveland in CP.  Because many people get off the Metro to walk to the zoo, these visitors would take pictures, probably with their children. I think it is a splendid idea, Eleanor, and the city should call for artistic bids to get the process moving asap.  

 

I love this idea. In Rapid City SD there are statues throughout downtown of all the presidents and people enjoy them.

sadoski @ msn dot com

 

I really love this idea.  I lived in Dayton OH and statues of the Wright Brothers are a huge hit.

 

Grover Cleveland à la Seward Johnson. Clever. 

 

Randi 

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Editor's note: For those unfamiliar with the sculptor Seward Johnson, he's best known for extremely lifelike statues of people, often doing very mundane things -- although, as you can see in the photo below (if it comes through to the Listserv), they may be from an earlier era. You can learn more about him at https://www.groundsforsculpture.org/artists/seward-johnson/ and see examples of his work. Here's a link to one- https://www.groundsforsculpture.org/artwork/crossing-paths/ - and a link to another (also pictured below):  https://www.groundsforsculpture.org/artwork/a-turn-of-the-century/   

 

 

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Many posts have recalled statues in different states. I just want to remind neighbors that there are something like 14 wonderful statues at National Harbor, including one of FDR in his wheelchair, one of President Eisenhower in his military uniform, one of Winston Churchill, one of five* military personnel representing five branches of the military (“Team America”) — and even one of Rosie the Riveter. *(We had five military branches before Space Force became our sixth.)

 

I personally love the idea of a Grover Cleveland statue on the Cleveland Park promenade, and if a search is made for an artist, I hope the search committee can visit “Spirit Park” at National Harbor to admire the statues we have there. In fact, with or without a search, I recommend a visit. Fun!

Grover Cleveland was born in New Jersey and later moved to New York where he was elected mayor of Buffalo and later Governor of NY. He served as POTUS for 2 terms, non consecutive. 

He died in New Jersey. 

 

What is the connection to this neighborhood?

 

Susi

(I’m not objecting)

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Editor's note: Happy to answer that question. Grover Cleveland built a summer home called "Red Top" -- one of the first grand houses built in this part of Washington -- in the neighborhood that would later be named in his honor. The northern boundary of the city of Washington in the District of Columbia was then Florida Avenue, so anything beyond that was "out in the country."  Here's more about the Grover Cleveland connection from the "Neighborhood History" page of the Cleveland Park Historical Society: