William Henry Seward will arrive in Juneau in about a month — or at least, a statute of him will.
Coogan Construction this week began installing the base of the statue at the Dimond Courthouse Plaza across the street from the Alaska State Capitol on Fourth Street. The 4-foot tall base is made of Tokeen marble from Alaska, the same marble used in the pillars of the Capitol.
The statue, which is in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Treaty of Cession with Russia that made Alaska a territory of the United States, is still making its way to Juneau. The 6-foot statue was unveiled in New York (Seward’s home state) earlier this month and is being taken across the country, making stops in the Nebraska cities of Seward and Lincoln.
Along with a 1-foot pad, the statue will rise 11 feet tall when it’s unveiled July 3. The statue is funded by grants, in-kind contributions and other private avenues, and has been in the works for years.
Contributing contractors include Jensen Yorba Lott Architects, PND Engineers, Coogan Construction, Alaska Commercial Contractors, Admiralty Construction, Alaska Concrete Casting and Aggpro.
Judith and David Rubin pose with their statue of William Seward after its unveiling in New York. The statue is set to be installed in Juneau on July 3. (Photo courtesy of Brenda Hewitt)
