Greater Kennebec Valley
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(continued from page 30) The sculpture itself is made from white pine and was a three-year undertaking by Mr. Langlais who was from Old Town. He attended and was also a teacher at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. He was commisioned to do the work in 1966 by the Skowhegan Tourist Hospitality Association at a cost of $20,000; the work was completed and raised in observance of Maine’s 150th anniversary in 1969. It depicts a Native American holding a fish trap in his right hand while holding a spear in his left. For 44 years the faithful and proud-looking statue has stood sentinel over the downtown area of Skowhegan keeping watch as the rest of its surroundings have grown up around it. In a popular postcard from the 1970s the statue can be seen standing before a stark blue sky. This picture alone drew many visitors from away to see and photograph the icon and admire
its beauty. Over the years thousands have stopped by to marvel at the sculpture, to read the accompanying markers and appreciate the magnificence of the work of art. Originally the sculpture was to be the main focal point to a large park that included a nearby grist mill to be used as a museum, but the plans never materialized and local business grew up around the figure. The years have not been kind to the statue, however. The right hand and forearm holding the fish trap were removed as was the spear from its left hand. The long-term exposure to the elements played havoc with the wood. Several squirrels and many small birds have made homes for themselves within the folds of the statue’s face and within its interior, but the Skowhegan Chamber of Commerce did not turn a blind eye to the tribute and its place among the people of the town. In 2003
fundraising began, and in 2006 a local contractor took over and began some of the repairs to save the sculpture. The interior brace was broken and needed to be replaced, stainless steel guy wires were installed to increase stability of the sturdy wooden statue. Paint samples were taken and sent to a conservator in Virginia for analysis so that when the time came the paint scheme used by Langlais could be perfectly matched. Rusted bolts and flashing have been replaced and the legs have been treated with a special solution to deter decay. The Skowhegan Chamber of Commerce has been active in the fight against the elements because it sees the value of their town’s icon. There have been thoughts of moving the statue to a more visible place in town, but due to its size that doesn’t seem feasible. For now, the restoration continues and
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