Vigo County Historical Society

In a recent rearrangement of the attics at the Vigo County Historical Museum, a piece of plaster sculpture was discovered. A perusal of the records revealed a very interesting story. It seems this particular piece of art is the work of Gilbert Wilson. Wilson, a nationally known muralist, had designed and submitted this model for a proposed memorial to be located in Fairbanks Park.

Disillusioned because his work was not chosen, Wilson threw the piece in the trash, where it was retrieved by his good friend and neighbor, Gerald Shea. Evidently a change of heart prompted Wilson to knock on the door of his neighbor and sign the piece for him.

In the 1950s, the sculpture was placed in the public library for safekeeping. However, when the library policy was changed and many items were transferred to other public and nonprofit organizations, the piece disappeared. It later surfaced, in the 1970s, in the window of the Morris Plan Co., which at that time was on Seventh Street near Wabash Avenue. The work is now in the museum.

The piece was designed on a 1-inch to 6-feet scale. The height of the work is 30 inches overall. If the piece had been built to scale, it would have soared over the park and river to a height of 180 feet. What a magnificent sight that would have been and a fitting tribute to one of Terre Haute’s nationally known artists. Gilbert Wilson died Jan. 16, 1991, in Frankfort, Ky.

On July 29, from 1 to 4 p.m., the public will have an opportunity to meet and visit with several of Terre Haute’s present-day artists and view their latest efforts during the society’s "Authors and Artists Day." Former Mayor P. Pete Chalos, Doreen and Bob Follett, Dorothy Jerse, Larry Liggett and Bill Wolfe will demonstrate their work and sign copies of their books. Their latest books and prints will be available for sale.