Description

The public is invited to the unveiling of and dedication for the newest piece of public art on the City of Hagerstown’s Cultural Trail, the Clara Barton Memorial, on Tuesday, May 7th at 1:30pm. The location is near Park Circle on Summit Avenue.

The sculpture, by nationally recognized Maryland-based sculptor Toby Mendez, has already been called a “monumental example of public service by ‘The Angel of the Battlefield.’” The sculpture of Clara Barton will be a lasting legacy for the public.

Mendez explained the project, which immortalizes in bronze the woman often called the “Florence Nightingale of America.” The completed public art project, in Hagerstown-Washington County, is a memorial to Clara Barton’s “first response to care.” Mendez said, “It was at the Battle of Antietam in 1862 where Clara Barton first demonstrated and developed this philosophy that she would later bring to help create the American Red Cross.” Mendez also said, “This memorial depicts Clara Barton giving aide to a fallen soldier. The sculpture recognizes her groundbreaking moment of becoming the first nurse officially given permission to be on the battlefield ‘under fire.’ Her actions and her immediate response saved many lives.” Many soldiers were cared for, as they were treated in makeshift hospitals throughout Hagerstown and Washington County.

Once the project was presented to and approved by the Mayor and City Council in late 2021, the City of Hagerstown donated the site near the Park Circle Triangle at 319 Summit Avenue. The Clara Barton Memorial Fund was established through the Community Foundation of Washington County, and with former U. S. Senator and former long-time American Red Cross CEO Elizabeth Dole acting as honorary chairperson of the sculpture committee, the fundraising efforts were successful.

Including the City’s in-kind land donation and site preparations of $60,000, nearly $800,000 has been raised. $710,106 in cash contributions have been received as of March 31, with an additional $16,250 due from the State of Maryland’s Maryland Heritage Area grant. Significant local support helped stimulate national interest in the project, which is believed to be the first-ever memorial sculpture to honor Clara Barton. The Clara Barton Memorial Committee felt that the memorial is a well-deserved and long-overdue acknowledgement. “The Clara Barton Memorial celebrates nurses and first responders,” Toby Mendez said. Many state and national nurse or medical first responder organizations are expected to be represented at the ceremony, and individual nurses have also indicated that they will be attending. Several speakers will be presenting at the event.

It is recommended that the public should arrive early. There will be event-themed music courtesy of singer-songwriter Jennie Avila. There will be street closures on Virginia Avenue between Park Circle and Summit Avenue, and also on Summit Avenue north of Sycamore Street to Virginia Avenue. These closures will begin at 12:30pm. Limited parking will be available at the Eagles Club across the street from the memorial; however eventgoers are encouraged to park on Sycamore Street or at City Park.