As Joseph Warren’s biographer I have been gratified by the number of people reaching out to me over the years in a collaborative and collegial fashion to flesh out, and make better known, the inspiring legacy of this Founding figure. Recently Mr. Closson – an architect with an eye for history and preservation – reached out to me from the West Coast for any information – sculptor, visual antecedents, studio where crafted, etc. – concerning the pictured monumental medallion and a near-identical one depicting the death of Joseph Warren at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Mr. Closson is preparing an article on the works. He has been a tireless advocate for their preservation and broader appreciation by the public in Santa Barbara, California, and Miami Beach, Florida.
The existence of these two almost identical medallions on the East and West coasts, each 5 feet in length, is new to me. I was taken aback that anyone could mention Dr. Joseph Warren, the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the Versace mansion in the same paragraph. If any reader has relevant information, please contact me. I will forward it. Mr. Closson shares the story as a guest author:
“I am currently writing a piece for Tequesta, the journal of the Historical Association of Southern Florida, regarding mounted sculpture in homes owned by Alden Freeman in Miami Beach and Santa Barbara. The paper will not deal with the Warren pieces, but in reviewing the entire sculpture catalogs of both buildings. I realized I had not pursued original source material for this one…”
“Alden Freeman was the sole surviving son of Standard Oil’s original treasurer. Born to modest means, all that changed when his father became part of the original incorporation of the Rockefeller empire. The younger Freeman was a free spirit and retired at age 27 to travel, pursue liberal ideals, and engage in targeted philanthropy. He was an avid genealogist and, it now appears, commissioned and collected plaster/cement cast medallions for installation in at least two homes. The earlier project (1927, Santa Barbara) included 85 medallions on the building exterior and on the grounds. The 1930 Miami Beach project incorporated 84 of those plus added another 38. The Warren – Bunker Hill piece is part of both homes, as is the Warren family crest.”
“In Santa Barbara the home is part of Franceschi Park, in sad repair through nine decades of City neglect, and was called “Montarioso” by its original owner. Freeman bought it in 1926 from the family of renowned botanist of the time Francesco Franceschi, remodeled it as a Mediterranean villa, installed the medallions, and donated the house and 15 acres to the City of Santa Barbara. In Miami Beach Freeman built “Casa Casuarina” as his own home with the installation of 122 medallions as part of the original plan. That home is currently best known as (here I hesitate because its notoriety often blinds readers to the historic importance of the place) the Versace Mansion. The medallions of Casa Casuarina are within the interior courtyard of the building and protected from the elements. They have survived well and may have benefitted from some minor Versace touch up.”
“There you have it. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. My photos of Casa Casuarina are from a pleasure visit in 2002 that included passing through Miami. I contacted the City planning department staff about possible access, and a special inspection was arranged. The pre-Versace owner was in the process of making the property into a boutique hotel-club and was currying favor with Miami Beach planning staff.”
“I have been working – off & on – on the medallions of Montarioso since 2000 and have written frequently about them over the years… I believe Montarioso’s neglect by the City of Santa Barbara is a sad commentary for a city that values – in word – its history. I always hope raising the public profile of the house and park will encourage better funding and support.”
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