Subject | Harvey Scott |
Artist | Gutzon Borglum |
Materials | Bronze, Basalt |
Installation Date | 1933 |
Acquisition Context | Gifted to the city by Scott’s wife, Margaret Scott |
Where was it originally located? | On the summit of Mount Tabor in Mt. Tabor Park |
Was there engagement when it was created? | No |
What happened to it? | The statue was vandalized with red paint in May and November 2019. In October 2020, the statue was toppled and damaged. It was removed by the City on October 20, 2020, and put in storage. On February 20, 2021, a bust of York, an enslaved Black member of the Lewis and Clark expedition, by a then-anonymous artist (now known to be Todd McGrain), appeared on the pedestal. On July 28, the bust of York was torn down and irreparably damaged. |
Representative feedback from public comments, testimony and City-led public conversations | “I loved the York statue that was erected in the spot where the Harvey Scott statue was illegally removed and was disappointed when it was knocked down. I hope the York bust returns to some prominent place in the city, but it should not be at the expense of another artwork, it should be an addition. I would like to see RACC adopt a policy of encouraging artistic acts of addition rather than bureaucratic and illegal acts of subtraction. RACC's message to would-be vandals should loud and clear, that any statue that is illegally removed or damaged will be repaired and stood back in its original place as soon as possible, only once the piece has been put back where it was will RACC solicit public input on how it may be re-contextualized.” “I am glad to see the statue of Harvey Scott gone. I have often walked by this monument and dreamed of it being replaced by one of his sister, Abigail Scott Duniway, a much more deserving person to honor. And it would only be appropriate to replace a tribute to someone who hindered the struggle for women's rights with an Oregonian who fought so hard for them. At the same time I also believe York should be honored and am glad to see a monument has been made to recognize his life.” |
Status | Will be deaccessioned from the City’s Public Art Collection. Additional public engagement on deaccessioning will occur during the 2024 Monuments Symposium. |