Founders Park Sculpture gets TLC

A concrete sculpture from Founders Park with the sun behind

Exeter, NH - July 12th, 2022: The sculpture in Founders Park recently got some TLC thanks to the work of the Town’s Arts and Culture Advisory Commission and Exeter Parks and Recreation.

Watch a video version of this report on Exeter TV's YouTube page. 

Working together, they applied for and received a Conservation Grant from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts to renovate the 1988 sculpture by well-known artist Emile Birch.

Installed for the Town’s 350th Anniversary, the sculpture depicts the Town’s history through a series of bas-reliefs. It acknowledges the rich history of Native Americans in the area and importance of fish in our rivers.

Local sculpture specialists Inspired Ornamental, LLC worked to delicately preserve and restore the sculpture to ensure that future generations can admire this artwork which sits just outside the Exeter Public Library.

This project is another great example of Town committees and departments working together to make projects happen in Exeter. Interested in learning more about how you can get involved with Exeter's committees and commissions? Visit our Committee Vacancies page to learn more about the openings currently available. 

Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow

weathered and dirty sculpture
Founders Park Sculpture behind orange fence is being renovated
Founders park sculpture with flowers
Founders park sculpture with flowers
A close up of the sculpture showing bas-reliefs depicting Native Americans and early settlers in Exeter
A low angle shot looking up through the openings in the sculpture columns at the blue sky
lion part of sculpture with chunk missing
lion panel being sculpted
fish panel before restoration
A close up showing the newly restored fish bas-relief
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