Kim Smeja, Historic Preservationist, (pictured here) and Jan Stilson, Chairman of the Blackhawk Restoration Team, presented a program on efforts to restore the Black Hawk statue in Oregon. Kim was able to go up to view the restoration process first hand. She showed photos of the restoration efforts. Through the efforts of Illinois State Representative Tom Demmer the group was able to secure a $350,000 grant to fund the restoration efforts. Another $250,000 was raised for future maintenance and upgrades to the plaza around the statue. The statue, also called the Eternal Indian, was designed by Lorado Taft and dedicated in 1911. It is 48' tall and is perched on a 77' bluff overlooking the Rock River. Interesting enough, it is the 2nd largest concrete statue in the world! Restoration efforts will be completed by the end of this year!
Donations to continue to preserve the statue can be made at www.ilcf.org or sent to Illinois Conservation Foundation, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702.
