Dr. Seuss Memorial
Sculpture garden in Springfield, Massachusetts
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden is a sculpture garden at the Quadrangle in Springfield, Massachusetts, which honors Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, who was born in Springfield in 1904.[1] The monument was designed by Lark Grey Diamond-Cates, the author's stepdaughter, and created by sculptor and artist Ron Henson.[2][3]
 | |
| Location | Springfield, Massachusetts, United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 42°6′16.3692″N 72°35′14.3304″W |
| Type | Sculpture garden |
| Website | Springfield Museums |
History
Halfway through her Masters program, Diamond-Cates was approached by Joseph Carvalho and former Museums chairman Thomas Wheeler to help design a memorial for her step-father. She accepted, and spent six and a half years designing and creating the project.[4]
The sculpture garden opened 1 June 2002.[5] The opening ceremony was attended by Geisel's relatives including his widow Audrey Geisel and Senator Ted Kennedy.[5][6]
The adjacent The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum includes an exhibit on the sculpture garden's creation.[7]
Statues
The sculpture garden features five large bronze statues:
- Dr. Seuss and the Cat in the Hat: The title character of The Cat in the Hat standing alongside Dr. Seuss at his desk.
- The Storyteller: A chair placed in front of a 10-foot-tall (3.0 m) book with the text of Oh, the Places You'll Go!, the title character from Gertrude McFuzz, and beside it, the Grinch and his dog, Max.
- Horton Court: Horton the Elephant from Horton Hears a Who! steps out of an open book accompanied by various ancillary characters from other Dr. Seuss stories, including Thing 1 and Thing 2 from The Cat in the Hat.
- The Lorax: The titular character from The Lorax stands on a tree stump with the book's refrain: Unless... This statue is located in front of the Springfield Science Museum, which features exhibits on global warming and environmental science.
- Yertle the Turtle: a 10-foot-tall (3.0 m) tower of turtles, from Yertle the Turtle, which introduces visitors to the Quadrangle from the arch on Chestnut Street.[3]