A long-time Tacoma community organizer is leading an effort to fund a statue in Tollefson Plaza downtown that would honor a piece of the city’s history destroyed nearly 70 years ago, and represent some of the city’s economic and cultural signifiers.
Griselda “Babe” Lehrer, former owner of Lyon’s Apparel, and a volunteer at Tacoma Public Schools, the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, and the Museum of Glass, has partnered with the Tacoma Historical Society for the creation of a bronze ‘goddess of commerce’ statue.
Lehrer shared the plan Thursday morning with members of the Downtown Merchants Group.
According to Lehrer, the original ‘goddess of commerce’ statue once stood on the rooftop of the former Chamber of Commerce building, which was located at South 12th Street and Pacific Avenue. The building was constructed in 1880 and torn down in 1940. “When the building came down, the goddess came down,” said Lehrer. The original 10-foot statue was destoryed, melted down for its copper.
A new statue, which would measure seven-feet-four-inches tall, has been designed by artist Marilyn Mahoney (a photograph of the statue design is online at http://www.flickr.com/photos/tacoma-urbanist/2310312663/sizes/o/in/photostream/ ). In one arm, the goddess is cradling a miniature model of the city’s skyline, including the Museum of Glass cone. In another arm, she is holding a container ship, meant to represent trade activity at the Port of Tacoma. Salmon run down the back of the statue, which stands on a base shaped like Mt. Rainier.
The new statue will cost $122,000. So far, three people have purchased bronze fish that will be engraved with their names and located at the base of the statue for $5,000 each.
If the statue is built and placed in the plaza, the Tacoma Historical Society would provide maintenance of the artwork until it is incorporated into the City of Tacoma’s art collection.
During Thursday’s meeting, Lehrer was confident the project would be funded. “It will be done and dedicated this year,” she said.
Downtown merchant Steph Farber, owner of Le Roy Jewelers, agreed. “If she gets behind a project, it happens,” said Farber.
If you are interested in learning more about the effort or donating to the fund-raiser contact the Tacoma Historical Society at (253) 472-3738.