The Return of the Statue

James B. Duke is back on West Campus

Friday, September 30, 2005

print | email |



Durham, N.C. -- In 1935, a young Mary Duke Biddle was on hand to unveil the statue of her uncle, James B. Duke, in front of Duke Chapel. Seventy years later, she was on hand again for the statue’s second unveiling.

Four months after it was sent to Cincinnati for a significant cleaning, the statue returned to its rightful foundation Thursday as part of the university’s annual Founders’ Day celebration. Trustee emerita Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans and President Richard H. Brodhead struggled for several seconds with the veil covering the statue before a final yank pulled it over the statue’s head.

In opening remarks, Brodhead noted that over the summer several students took advantage of the statue’s absence to create their own art works, while others had their photos taken while standing on the foundation. He said he wanted to encourage such “artistic expressions,” but added he had missed the statue.

“It’s good to have our old friend back,” Brodhead said.

The statue was initially unveiled as the capstone event for the construction of West Campus. Duke Chapel was officially dedicated at the same time, although it had been in use for nearly three years, said University Archivist Tim Pyatt.

The years had taken some of the shine off of the statue. The cleaning, done by Karkadoulias Bronze Art Inc., restored much of the statue’s original patina, giving it a brighter bronze color.