A downtown mainstay since 1915, Hebe needs a facelift
Heritage Alliance, in cooperation with Main Street McMinnville and Leadership McMinnville Class of 1999, is raising money to restore Hebe, the statue which stands on Court Square in historic downtown McMinnville. Sources for matching grants are being explored, as well as funding from private donations.
Q: What is the history behind Hebe?
A: In Greek mythology, Hebe was the goddess of eternal youth. Legend told she was able to restore youthful beauty to the aged and was the cupbearer to the gods.
Our Hebe was given to the city by Mrs. Laura Davis Worley, under the auspices of the Women’s Civic League. It was dedicated in a ceremony on Court Square in February of 1915.
The square had been a muddy hitching post for horses and trading mules since the Civil War. The Women’s Civic League wanted a classical statue to grace the east side of the newly formed park.
Hebe was also meant to be a working water fountain for humans, horses, birds, dogs and cats. There are four different heights at which the fountains are placed on the base of the statue. Many McMinnville residents today can still remember drinking out of the fountain on Hebe’s base.
Q: What is her current condition?
A: The next time you are downtown, take a minute or two to look at Hebe.
In the past several years the statue has fallen into very poor condition. The cast-iron base (containing the fountains) has rusted from the inside out and many serious cracks have developed.
The bolts holding the base together have also rusted heavily. A number of the decorative details from the base are missing or broken. The bowl from Hebe’s hand is missing and the light fixtures have been destroyed. The monument has a total of 53 pieces, eight of which need partial or total replacement.
Q: Have any attempts been made to restore Hebe?
A: Around 20 years ago an attempt was made by some local residents to “spruce up” Hebe. Unfortunately the repair job included sandblasting the cast-iron base and applying the wrong type of paint to the entire statue and base. This actually accelerated the process of deterioration and caused major damage.
Q: Why do we need a professional restorationist?
A: Hebe has been damaged significantly by previous attempts at repair. At this stage a quick fix will ensure her demise in a short time. A professional restorationist can identify the major problems, outline a plan to restore the statue, and coordinate all the work (moving, dismantling, reassembling) in a manner that will protect the integrity of the statue and base.
Q: Why should we try to save the statue, when a cheaper replacement could be purchased?
A: Hebe was a gift to the people of McMinnville and has been a prominent feature on Court Square for 87 years. The statue is part of our community’s history and its condition reflects upon us and upon the things we value.
Through the years she has silently stood and witnessed the following: Armistice Day at the end of World War I, the construction of the post office and its dedication by Secretary of Commerce Andrew Mellon, the Farmer’s Market when it used to meet on the east side of the courthouse, the road cut through the park in 1948, the fire that destroyed Cook’s Department Store (where The Hole used to be), the demolition of the Sedberry Hotel, and countless community events including parades, celebrations, anniversaries, and celebrations.
Q: What can you do to help?
A: Hebe is an irreplaceable piece of our community’s heritage and is an heirloom to be passed on to future generations. An initial estimate of the cost to restore Hebe suggested it will be an expensive undertaking if the work is done to professional standards that will guarantee Hebe’s future.
To ensure a fair market price is established for the work, Heritage Alliance will solicit bids from a number of professional monument restorationists. A monetary donation is the best way you can help to restore our statue.
Q: What was achieved at Downtown Clean-Up Day this year?
A: We would like to thank all the volunteers who came downtown on Saturday April 20 for the 3rd annual Downtown Clean-Up Day. This year we tackled a number of projects that will have a lasting impact on the appearance of the area.
The Brown Hotel lot on E. Main Street, which was recently given to the library, needed to be improved and made easier on the eyes. Main Street McMinnville and the Department of Urban Forestry and Land Management, developed a plan to plant shrubs (wintergreen barberries), trees (magnolias) and wildflowers (Mexican Hats) that will enhance the property while the library tries to sell the lot to a developer.
Thanks to Dan’s Hide-A-Way Nursery and Sleepy Hollow Nursery for donating the plant materials and to the students from Warren Academy who spent a day in the hot sun planting the shrubs around the lot.
Volunteers also worked to move the two tree planters from Court Square into the City Mall on E. Main Street. The planters were rebuilt and the fir trees were replaced with ornamental trees and shrubs. We think you will agree the City Mall looks a lot better now with the addition of trees!