Mark Twain Bust Returned to Garden

A 1935 bust of Mark Twain received a long awaited return to it's home in a celebration at the American Cultural Garden on October 7, thanks to the efforts of Hawken seventh graders past and present.

The bronze statue was originally a part of the American Cultural Garden, one of 26 gardens that line Martin Luther King Boulevard near University Circle. In 1935 schoolchildren collected pennies toward the purchase of the bust, sculpted by Frank Jirouch and unveiled on the 100th anniversary of the Twain's birth.

Four years ago, Hawken's seventh graders became stewards of the Garden and embarked on numerous service learning projects. The bust of Twain had been languishing in storage for years before Hawken and their Garden partners tracked it down. Three years ago, the Class of 2014 began researching the restoration process and the 7th grade classes of 2015 and 2016 then worked to secure over $8,000 in grants.

Tom Podnar, a former Hawken parent and professional conservator who works with the McKay Lodge Conservatory in Oberlin, conducted the conservation and recently led students through the final stages of the process. He attended the dedication along with Councilman Jeff Johnson of Ward 8, and Kathy Ochs whose grandmother established the garden. Hawken 7th and 8th graders addressed the gathering which included the 7th and 8th grade classes as well as Hawken parents. Watch excerpts of the dedication ceremony here.