Avard T. Fairbanks Papers, 1929-1992

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Fairbanks, Avard T. (Avard Tennyson)
Title
Avard T. Fairbanks Papers
Dates
1929-1992 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.6 linear feet, (2 manuscript boxes)
Collection Number
WCMss.133
Summary
The Avard T. Fairbanks Papers which contains ephemera related to sculptor Dr. Avard T. Fairbanks and his creation of a bronze statue of Dr. Marcus Whitman for unveiling in the Rotunda and installation in Statuary Hall of the United States Capitol, Washington, D.C. These papers, which date from 1929 through 1992, contains information about the development, installation, and dedication of the Marcus Whitman Statue. There also contains a portfolio, letters of correspondence, fundraising, and brochures and invitations.
Repository
Whitman College and Northwest Archives
Whitman College and Northwest Archives
Penrose Library, Room 130
345 Boyer Avenue
Walla Walla, WA
99362
Telephone: 5095275922
Fax: 5095264785
archives@whitman.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Avard T. Fairbanks consists of information about the life and career of Dr. Fairbanks as well as information about the development, installation, and dedication of the Marcus Whitman Statue in Washington, D.C. and later, a duplicate statue in Walla Walla, Washington. These records, which date from 1929 through 1992, also contain a portfolio of work and a proposal from Dr. Fairbanks, letters of correspondence and fundraising, photographs and negatives, and brochures and invitations.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Avard Tennyson Fairbanks was born in Provo, Utah on March 2, 1897. He was the tenth of eleven children of John and Lilly Fairbanks. He learned sculpture from his father in New York, and was awarded a scholarship at the Art Students League in New York. In 1913 Avard went to Paris to study sculpture at the Ecole Nationale des Beaux Artes. He then worked in San Francisco, Hawaii, Oregon, Idaho, Michigan, and finally Washington. In 1947 he was commissioned to build a statue of Marcus Whitman in Washington D.C., identical to the Marcus Whitman Statue on Whitman College's campus. Avard died on January 2, 1987 in Pacific, Washington.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Donated to the Whitman College and Northwest Archives by Avard T. Fairbanks in 1999 and 2002. The accession number is retro-0042.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Personal Names

  • Whitman, Marcus