Gutzon Borglum, best known as the sculptor of Mount Rushmore, left a strong legacy of sculptures and public statues in Newark. Among the Borglum statues around the city, “The First Landing Party for the Founders of Newark”, positioned near the NJPAC, went missing around the year 2012. That is until John Abignon went to look for it and found it discarded. Then the Star-Ledger’s Barry Carter reported on the matter. Having read the article, the leaders of the Newark Landmarks and Preservation Committee got onboard, particularly Liz Del Tufo and Richard Grossklaus. With the help of the Newark Celebration 350 Committee, the motley crew of citizens commissioned a local sculptor to refurbish the 100 year old Borglum statue. And now the legendary artist’s 9 foot, 13,000 lb marble statue rises again above the Passaic River.
Check out Barry Carter’s summary of events in The Star-Ledger newspaper.
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