Author: Robert Vartanian
(Continued from here.) We talked to several sculptors to create a statue, and selected a sculptor from Utah. The criteria we had established was to first ensure the statue was made in America with American bronze. Although the original statue was created in France, we believed that since Bro. Warren was an American Hero, A Son of Liberty and a founding father of our country, that our statue would be created in America. We resolved to hold steadfast to this requirement, even though the cost would be far less were we to have it created overseas. After negotiating with the sculptor, we were all ready to commission the project when we reached out to the family and the Cemetery for their formal permission. At this point we realized that there would be additional requirements that we had not anticipated. These additional requirements would extend our time line for construction beyond what we had identified as our dedication day. We notified the Utah sculptor that the project was on hold, pending the resolution of the additional requirements.
When we met with the cemetery, our idea was to scale back our project to a bronze plaque on the stone, and to reluctantly abandon the idea of a statue. The cemetery stated that they believed that the best option was still the statue, and that they were willing to partner with us on the project. One of the requirements was to select a local sculptor who would be able to visit the grave site, and to create a statue that would be proportional when placed atop the puddingstone so that it would enhance the gravesite and not look at all out of place.
We researched local sculptors and discovered Mr. Robert Shure of Skylight studios in Woburn, MA. We selected Mr. Shure for the project, and later found out that he is both a very highly respected sculptor and that he has been involved with several other projects in the Forest Hills Cemetery. This sculptor was actually contacted by Wor. John Pedersen prior to our decision selecting the Utah sculptor. Because of this, Mr. Shure was very much aware of the project, and stated he could indeed meet our time requirement and stay within our budget! So far, Mr. Shure has been incredible to work with. (To be continued.)
Statue in progress. Detail of mold at Skylight Studios, Inc.
Source: I have reproduced this article in installments by permission of the author Robert Vartanian. The piece was first published to the Sixth District Masonic website here. (last accessed September 5, 2016)
Discussion: Masons revere the memory of Joseph Warren, first Scottish Rite Mason for North America. Many Founders were Freemasons, including John Hancock and Paul Revere among Joseph Warren’s immediate colleagues. Over the years various component Masonic Lodges throughout the U.S. have been involved with commemorative place naming, statues, and other celebrations of Warren’s legacy. This current statue project summary is notable both with respect to Warren’s persistent place in contemporary public memory, and for the mechanics of bringing such a project to fruition. I thank Mr. Vartanian and his Sixth District Masonic colleagues for their initiative and sharing their story. The Massachusetts Masonic Grand Lodge encourages public attendance at the statue’s dedication on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 10:00AM at Forest Hills Cemetery, Boston, MA.
The City of Boston’s 1904 statue of Warren, the inspiration behind the new statue, was sculpted and cast in Paris by expatriot American Paul Bartlett (1865-1925). It was funded in part by surplus Civil War bronze cannon. It is tempting to believe that the statue is literally made from bronze with such a solemn provenance, but we judge it more likely that the cannon were long ago sold for scrap and the proceeds used to help finance Bartlett’s statue. In any case, the modern Sixth District Masons wanted their statue to be made in America and preferably within Massachusetts.
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