Rejuvenating Mariemont’s Dale Park and Family Statuary

By Pete McBride

(with information gratefully received from several sources)

One of the many exciting initiatives being undertaken by The Mariemont Centennial Committee and The Mariemont Preservation Foundation (MPF) working together to celebrate the Village’s 100th anniversary involves the rescue, restoration, and renewal of the historic “Family Statuary” in Dale Park as well as the enhancement of Dale Park itself.

Take a stroll through a bit of Mariemont history, and discover some elements of the hundredth-year birthday present for our historic Village that have been taking shape over the past many months.

Where exactly is Dale Park and what is the “Family Statuary”?

As described in the Village of Mariemont Centennial Edition 2022-2023 Residential and Business Directory (Guide to Mariemont Parks, page 12):

“This park is bordered by the corner of Wooster Pike and Plainville Road. Most recognizable is the Family Statuary Group depicting three Generations of French peasants: the father, mother and child in the center, and the grandparents and grandchildren on either side. Charles Livingood, Mary Emery’s personal representative, saw a model for the group design in Paris, where it won a gold medal in the “Paris Salon” [exhibition]. He thought it captured Mrs. Emery’s vision for Mariemont, the perfect place for families. He had it sculpted and shipped to the Village. The unveiling and dedication took place the same day as the Carillon Tower dedicationNovember 16, 1929.”

Why does the Family Statuary need “rescue” and restoration?

Anything (or anyone, for that matter) that has lasted as many decades as the Family Statuary will have suffered the ravages of aging, time, and exposure to climate change. Admirers of the artistic carvings and those with an interest in preserving Mariemont’s key attributesespecially MPF - have worried about the weathering and resulting deterioration of this historic local landmark. That very legitimate concern rings especially true because the statues have served as concrete metaphors for our Village itself. (Well, OK… actually “limestone,” not “concrete,” but you get the idea.)

Significant facial details have been lost over time, and for the second time since the 1990s, part of the grandfather statue’s head broke off a few months ago. Extensive research indicated that the statues might need to be replaced in order to be preserved. MPF consulted with multiple expert conservation and restoration companies, studios, institutes as well as with professional sculptors - including acclaimed local artist Tom Tsuchiya (who, among other wellknown works, crafted the bronze statues at Great American Ballpark). An informal Village survey and Mr. Tsuchiya both advised against moving or relocating the statues or recreating them in bronze.

The experts additionally suggested cleaning the Statuary but warned against applying any sort of sealant. They further cont'd on page 5