WHY THE TEXAS HEROES MONUMENT MATTERS
BY DWAYNE JONES, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The Texas Heroes Monument is the most important historic public sculpture in Galveston. It equals other significant, well-known outdoor sculptures in the state, such as the Texas Centennial complex in Dallas, sculptures on and around the state capitol, and the Alamo cenotaph in San Antonio. The Texas Heroes Monument deserves preservation but also needs the highest quality work and informed oversight by the community and state. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and soon nominated for a State Archeological Landmark.
This generous gift of art was among Henry Rosenberg’s most important statements in his will upon his death in May 1893 and recognized the influence of the national City Beautiful Movement underway in the 1890s. On April 21, 1900, the estate of Henry Rosenberg officially dedicated the sculpture completed by Washington, DC, sculptor Louis Amateis. Amateis executed two other sculptures in Galveston, but relatively few in Texas. His portfolio, however, includes commissions that rank him among the most important artists in American design history.
The Texas Heroes Monument is the most important historic public sculpture in Galveston. – Dwayne Jones
Amateis followed Rosenberg’s request to use $50,000 for the “memory of the Heroes of the Texas Revolution of 1836,” which included all of the battles leading up to the Battle of San Jacinto (all contained in Clause 19 of his will). Completed in bronze and granite, he designed panels on each of the four sides that depict battles, including the face or bust of distinguished early Texans, and engraved the names of many more early Texans in the granite base.
There is no reference to Galveston, this monument is to the Republic of Texas.
The “Lady of Victory,” however, is the most impressive aspect of the sculpture set at the top. She is an allegorical representation in a 22-foot format (total sculpture is 74 feet high), offering a laurel wreath in the direction of the San Jacinto Battlefield. Located at the most prominent intersection in Galveston, the monument is a statement of civic pride for Galvestonians, but its real purpose is to tell the history of the events and leaders associated with the Texas Revolution.
In 1986, Jean Mills formed the Texas Heroes Monument Commission earning support and recognition from Babe Schwartz and the Texas Legislature. Ballinger Mills and former Galveston County Judge Ray Holbrook led the committee (after her death) with the assistance of TxDOT and Texas Historical Commission to restore the sculpture under the direction of respected conservator Linda Merk. Merk, at that point, worked for Jensen Conservation in Omaha, Nebraska. She was a principal conservator for the Statue of Liberty. A few years ago, another restoration project addressed the sculpture again. Unfortunately, the sculpture “clouded” up very quickly. Its important design materials were not maintained, and our challenging coastal environment is eroding the statue.
It is time again to address this great monument (and others on Broadway and across the city), so it has longevity in presence, design, and message. This project should be managed under one of our city boards or commissions with state representatives, allowing them to choose the best-qualified restoration artists to restore the bronze monument.
