2015: Cherry Statue Time Capsule

In the fall of 1933 a group of faculty members "who were especially interested in launching a campaign leading to the carving and erection of a statue of President Cherry" began meeting.

A steering committee of sixteen was soon elected consisting of: Chairman J.R. Whitmer, Secretary Mattie McLean, Finley Grise, E.H. Canon, Roy Seward, W.J. Craig, M.C. Ford, L.T. Smith, W.M. Pearce, Kelly Thompson, Margie Helm, West Richards, Sterrett Cuthbertson, Florence Schneider, W.L. Matthews, Arndt Stickles.

The group met from 1933 through 1938 devising a plan, raising money, hiring architect Lorado Taft and distributing excess funds. Class sponsors were chosen for each of the thirty-one WKU classes to solicit donations from their classmates.

Lorado Taft died October 30, 1936 before the statue was cast in bronze. Henry Cherry died August 1, 1937 before the statue was completed. The committee worked with Taft's associates at Bronze Incorporated to have the statue finished. In October the committee assembled documents, photographs and artifacts to be placed in a time capsule in the base of the statue. It was decided to purchase a second box to house duplicates of these items and place it in the Kentucky Museum. This was done during a chapel service November 10 when the base was set and sealed. The statue arrived a few days later and was unveiled November 16, 1937 on what would have been Henry Cherry's 73rd birthday.

The time capsule items you see here are the duplicates that have been stored in the Kentucky Museum. See the Cherry State Committee collection inventory for more information regarding the creation of the statue.

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Education: The Basis of Democracy

Henry Cherry

This book is a compilation of chapel talks made by President Henry Hardin Cherry in response to a resolution passed by the student body of Western Kentucky State Teachers College and Normal School, August 6, 1925.
Elevator, Vol. II, No. 6

Western Kentucky University

Monthly magazine published by Western Kentucky University for students and alumni. This issue has articles about clean up day, Southern Normal School, Glasgow Normal School and chapel services.
End Comes to Dr. Henry Hardin Cherry Sunday Afternoon at Home Here

The Bowling Green Times Journal

Obituary of Henry Cherry published by the Bowling Green Times Journal. It is also an account of the first thirty years of Western Kentucky University.
Enrollment Figures

E. H. Canon

Official report of the total enrollment of Western Kentucky University from the opening in 1906 through Nov. 16, 1937 when the statue was unveiled.
Excerpts from Donor Letters

WKU Cherry Statue Committee

Quotations from donors to the Cherry Statue fund used in soliciting more donations.
First Degree Graduate - Belle Potter

WKU Registrar

Registration form and transcript of Belle Potter, the first student to obtain an A.B. or bachelor of arts degree from WKU.
Floral Offering at Ogden Vault

Franklin Studio

Flowers at the Robert Ogden Vault in Fairview Cemetery, Bowling Green, Kentucky. The vault was made available to the Cherry family temporarily until a decision was made as to Henry Cherry's permanent resting place. He is buried in Fairview Cemetery with his wife Bessie (Fain) Cherry.

Robert Ogden was the founder of Ogden College which was merged with WKU in 1929. Ogden College was on the site now occupied by the Ogden College of Science & Engineering.
Form Letters Soliciting Funds for Cherry Statue

WKU Cherry Statue Committee

Form letters used by class sponsors and members of the Cherry Statue Committee to solicit funds to pay for the statue of Henry Cherry at Western Kentucky University. Class sponsors: T.T. Knight, B.L. Curry, I.A. Butler, Chester Travelstead, J.S. Brown, Dawn Gilbert, Joe Howard, Millard Quillian, Miles Meredith, C.I. Henry and J.R. Whitmer.
Henry Cherry Lying in State with Honor Guard

Franklin Studio

Henry Cherry lying in state in Van Meter Hall with two unidentified honor guards.
Henry Cherry's Funeral

Franklin Studio

Photograph of Henry Cherry's funeral in Van Meter Hall.
Henry Cherry Statue Photograph

Lorado Taft

Photograph of the statue created by Lorado Taft of Henry Cherry. This image was used in fund raising efforts to pay for the statue.
Herman Donovan's Registration & Transcript

WKU Registrar

Registration form and transcript of Herman Donovan the first student to register at WKU. He went on to be president of Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky.
His Memorial is Western State

Silas Bent

Article by Silas Bent which appeared in the Louisville Courier-Journal a little over a month after Henry Cherry's death. It gives an overview of his life and career at Western Kentucky University.
Important to the Citizenship of Bowling Green & Warren County

Western Kentucky University

A broadside promoting Western Kentucky University and its benefit to Bowling Green and Warren County.
List of Contributors

WKU Cherry Statue Committee

List of contributors, many faculty, with signatures and amounts paid for the preliminary carving of the statue by Lorado Taft.
Memorial Service - Henry Hardin Cherry

Western Kentucky University

Program of memorial service held for WKU's first president Henry Cherry upon his death in August 1937.
Memories Kept in Cornerstone

WKU Student Affairs

Article which appeared in the October 16, 1971 College Heights Herald commemorating Founders Day.
Not to be Opened Until the Year 8113

Time Wide World Photos

Clipping from unidentified newspaper of Thornwell Jacobs president of Oglethorpe University studying plans for a time capsule.
On Normal Heights

Western Kentucky University

Promotional picture booklet of Western Kentucky University which includes images of the major buildings, students working on campus, faculty, Mammoth Cave, Barren River and student body.
Our Civic Image & Our Governments

Henry Cherry

A discussion of the relation and similarity of Divine, Self, National, State and City Governments and the laws which govern each.
Physical Education Building Dedication Program

Western Kentucky University

Dedication program for the WKU Health & Physical Education Building which is now the Helm-Cravens Library building. The building was designed by Brinton Davis and cost $250,000 to build. The gymnasium could hold up to 5,000 people for which purpose it was used until the completion of Diddle Arena in 1963.
Questions Concerning Western -- Answered

Western Kentucky University

List of fifteen frequently asked questions used for promotion of WKU. It was printed in an issue of the Teachers College Heights.
Receipt for Lock

W. T. Cargile

Receipt for $.50 paid by J.R. Whitmer, chair of the Cherry Statue Committee to W.T. Cargile local sheet metal contractor for the purchase of a lock for the copper box.
Resolutions on the Death of Dr. H.H. Cherry

WKU Cherry Statue Committee

Resolutions of respect drafted at the death of Henry Cherry from Bowling Green Kiwanis Club, Third District Education Association, Bowling Green City Council and Council on Public Higher Education.
Seal of Western Kentucky State Teachers College

WKU Registrar

Seal used by WKU Registrar on official documents and diplomas.