The Louisville Metro Police Department is currently investigating the mysterious disappearance of a hat from a landmark bronze sculpture of Abraham Lincoln in Kentucky. According to sculptor Ed Hamilton, who posted about the incident on Facebook, someone stole the hat.
The hat, which stands about a meter tall and weighs around 40 pounds, is attached to the sculpture by two screws. The life-size statue, which includes the pedestal, is approximately two meters high, making Lincoln twice the height of an average park visitor if he were standing upright.
Since the statue's unveiling in 2009, this serene and sacred site has been a source of tranquility, with visitors often sitting on the hat for photos and meditating around it, Hamilton mentioned. The hat, being a beautiful gem, attracted numerous visitors and became a beloved aspect of the memorial.
Hamilton, renowned for his public sculptures like "Unfinished March," representing Martin Luther King Jr., and "Spirit of Freedom," honoring African American soldiers and sailors in the Civil War, designed the Lincoln statue while contemplating the Ohio River and Lincoln's visit to Kentucky in the 1840s.
Hamilton is inspired by Lincoln's journey along the river and the sight of enslaved individuals being transported up and down the Ohio River. He wanted to craft a statue that made Lincoln appear welcoming and approachable – as if inviting visitors to join him in conversation.
While Hamilton hopes for the hat's safe return, he's prepared to replace it if it isn't found. He cited his readiness to reinforce the hat installation, ensuring its security further in the future.
Additional insights:
Edward Hamilton, the sculptor of the statue, has received wide recognition for his public art such as "Unfinished March," which pays tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., and "Spirit of Freedom," a dedication to the brave black soldiers and sailors who served in the Civil War.
His love for connecting history and art is evident in his 2009 creation - the Abraham Lincoln statue in Louisville, Kentucky, which he constructed with the Ohio River's significance in mind. Hamilton aimed to provide a lifelike feel to the statue so visitors could feel as if Lincoln himself was greeting them with a friendly hello, inviting them to sit and chat with him.
