Columbia artist works to complete Polk statues for Preservation Park opening

It's not every day that someone is tasked with commemorating a piece of history that will last many lifetimes, especially when you live in the hometown of a former U.S. President.

The Polks at Preservation Park project is entering its home stretch of completion, with an estimated opening in early November. The project will include renovating the pocket park located at the northwest corner of West 7th and N High St, along with a couple noble guests to celebrate the revitalization — former U.S. President James K. Polk and First Lady Sarah Childress Polk in shiny bronze form.

Statues James and Sarah Polk are being designed and created by local sculptor Jennifer Grisham, a lifelong artist, who has sculpted many iconic works, her most recent being a life-size statue of country music icon Minnie Pearl for the comedienne's hometown in Centerville.

Columbia City Council approved the project in April of 2022, placing it into the hands, quite literally, of Grisham. Once finished, the statues will be featured at the border of the city's arts district.

'It's an honor to commemorate this part of our history'

To be commissioned to commemorate arguably Columbia's most famous resident family, Grisham said, is "an honor I can't even begin to describe."

"I was very pleased to be given the opportunity to commemorate the Polks, because they're hometown folks. I think this will be a big tourist draw. You have the Polk Home, which is beautiful, but now you have something different," Grisham said.

One of the joys Grisham finds in sculpting, she said, is researching the subject of the piece. For James and Sarah Polk, this included reading books on each, as well as examining portraits and historical photographs from when the medium was in its infancy.

"I didn't realize how powerful of a First Lady Sarah was until I read the book 'Lady First.' There are also some old photographs of him, but the process was so slow nobody ever smiled," Grisham said. "So, what I did was try to blend what people have seen with the paintings and portraits with those old photographs. When the final statues are made, he'll be five-feet-eight, and she'll be about five-two."

Sarah Polk: First modern lady

The project has been a longtime city strategic planning goal, coming in at a cost estimated at about $200,000 funded via city tourism and general fund dollars.

City Manager Tony Massey noted that the Polks at Preservation Park project dates back about five years, and has taken many iterations throughout that time, at first featuring other Tennessee Presidents Andrew Jackson and Andrew Johnson, as well as First Lady's Park with Sarah Polk sitting on a bench.

Finalizing the project to solely feature James and Sarah together, especially considering the significance of the location felt most appropriate, Massey said.

"This project goes back about five years ago, and we've had different variations of it off and on, different concepts that were discussed," Massey said. "We not only wanted to honor James K. Polk, but Sarah as well, since she was quite the individual in her own right. You could almost argue that she can be considered the first 'modern' First Lady, because of how she took it from more than just a ceremonial position."

Massey added that the renovations will also include replacing the brick and stone features, as well as upgrading the park's fountain. There will also be two historical markers added to the park. Most of the renovations are expected to be completed by the November goal, but Massey said a few other features might take a little longer, such as replacing the fountain.

"We're going to try and get as much of it done by November as we can, and we feel confident that we'll get a lot of it, if not all of it done," Massey said. "The historic markers will take a year to get, and so we know we won't have those. With replacing the fountain, we may or may not get that done in time. It just depends on how long the delivery would be. It'll be something to see, something noteworthy."

Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder said he is excited to see this years-in-the-making project come to fruition, especially when the plan was to coincide with the recent West 7th Street revitalization project.

"I'm really excited about this project and one we've been talking about for quite a few years now. And while some of the delays have been frustrating, they actually kind of benefited the project as a whole, because the project is now going to be a much better end result than the initial phase," Molder said. "It will be a great place to visit, with the historical markers providing a story to the park itself and will blend in well as you enter the downtown district."

More: Sculptor to create statue of Sarah Polk for future 'First Lady's Park'

More: Columbia artist creates Minnie Pearl statue for icon's native Centerville

A boost for tourism, while elevating heritage

The intention for the Polks at Preservation Park is indeed to include another way to preserve and celebrate Columbia's history, but there are other ways it will also create a positive effect.

The artform of displaying bronze statues depicting notable figures has been a much-celebrated tradition, especially in big cities like Nashville, New York or Austin, Texas. It is also a trendy thing to get your picture taken with them, sharing it on social media and promoting the town as a must-see destination.

"I am just thrilled to see this come to fruition, and to see that we are finally approaching a grand opening date is so exciting," Columbia Tourism and Marketing Director Kellye Murphy said. "And Jennifer Grisham is just awesome, to see her work and the intricacies, the details, everything she does is just amazing. It breathes new life into the presidential home as a whole, as an attraction, and is another way for people to experience it when they come to Columbia."

Murphy added that she hopes the project can reach its estimated November date, and that a proper reveal ceremony can take place. The sculptures will not only attract new visitors to Columbia urging them to learn a thing or two about local history, but also gives locals a new way to appreciate it as well.

"This will just elevate the experience there, and will be located across the street from our President's ancestral home," Murphy said. "If people stop by the park, it might inspire them to learn more about him and Sarah, take a tour and enjoy the gardens. It just elevates that entire experience and gives us so much more to talk about with visitors. I am so excited to see this finally happening."

Last step to completion

The only thing remaining is to ship the statues to Atlanta, where they will be cast in bronze before their installation.

"It feels good, and I'm glad I was able to do it," Grisham said. "I'm very pleased with how it turned out, and I hope that I've done them justice. And I hope people like it too."

Jay Powell is a general reporter for The Daily Herald. Get up-to-date news in your inbox by subscribing to The Daily Herald newsletter at www.ColumbiaDailyHerald.com

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Columbia artist works to complete Polk statues for Preservation Park opening