The International Forest of Friendship was created in the 1970s as an arboretum in honor of aviation pioneers.
This statue of Earhart stands on the grounds, and is an exact replica of the statue of her that stands on the Commercial Street Mall a few miles away in downtown Atchison.
The statue appears to be slightly larger than life-size. Earhart is depicted as if she has just stepped out of her plane. Upon further reflection, Blasters wonder if this statue is a reproduction of a famous photograph of Earhart from the 1930s.
Earhart's hair, worn short, is mussed as if from wind. She wears a flyers leather jacket of the era, with two snap-flap pockets on the front. Her jacket is unzipped nearly to the waist, revealing her shirt and knotted aviator's scarf underneath. Her right arm hangs at her side, and her left hand rests at her waist, in a confident pose.
Earhart wears her trademark cuffed slacks and laced shoes. It was somewhat shocking in the 1930s that a woman would wear slacks, but who wants to climb in and out of a plane in a skirt? duh!
Around the round bronze base of the staue, these words are cast in a circle:
"LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH AND LET IT BEGIN WITH ME"
(Signature of Amelia Earhart)
A plaque in the base of the statue reads as follows:
"AMELIA EARHART
1897-1937"
From the SIRIS Database: (
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"Amelia Earhart, (sculpture).
Artist:
Jones, David, 1948- , sculptor.
Cavalier Renaissance Foundry, founder.
Title:
Amelia Earhart, (sculpture).
Dates:
1980-1981. Dedicated July 20, 1985.
Medium:
Figure: silicone bronze; Base: brick.
Dimensions:
Figure: approx. 72 x 21 x 21 in. x Diam. 23 in.; Base: approx. H. 9 in. x Diam. 45 in.
Inscription:
(On top of self base, circling around figure's feet:) "LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH AND LET IT START WITH ME" SIGNED AMELIA EARHART (Inscribed plaque on top front of base) unsigned
Description:
A figure of Amelia Earhart, dressed in slacks, a flight jacket, a loosely tied scarf, and oxford-type shoes, stands with her proper left hand at her hip and her proper right hand hanging by her side. The figure is placed atop a circular two-tiered base.
Subject:
Portrait female -- Earhart, Amelia -- Full length
Occupation -- Transportation -- Pilot
Object Type:
Outdoor Sculpture -- Kansas -- Atchison
Sculpture
Owner:
International Forest of Friendship, Atchison, Kansas
Remarks:
Amelia Earhart, 1897-1937?, an American aviator, lost her life on a flight over the Pacific Ocean. Donated by Marie and Alfred Schwartz Foundation. IAS files contain citation for related article.
Condition:
Surveyed 1995 August. Well maintained.
References:
Save Outdoor Sculpture, Kansas survey, 1995.
Illustration:
Image on file.
Note:
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.
Repository:
Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Control Number:
IAS KS000288"