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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Some Vital Information Concerning the College Heights Foundation
WKU College Heights Foundation
Booklet describing the work of the College Heights Foundation in raising funds for the construction of the Kentucky Building and providing student loans.
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Southern Educator, Vol. III, No. 1
Southern Normal School
Newspaper published by the Southern Normal School to advertise courses, publicize events on campus and keep alumni informed.
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Southern Educator, Vol. III, No. 1
Southern Normal School
Quarterly newspaper published by the Southern Normal School to advertise courses, publicize events on campus and keep alumni informed.
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Southern Educator, Vol. III, No. 2
Southern Normal School
Quarterly newspaper published by the Southern Normal School to advertise courses, publicize events on campus and keep alumni informed.
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Souvenir Folder of Western Kentucky State Teachers College
Curt Teich & Company
Booklet of postcards showing buildings on the campus of Western Kentucky University and proposed memorial tower.
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Students Receiving the Master of Arts Degree
WKU Registrar
List of students who had received masters degrees from Western Kentucky University between 1932 and 1936. The list gives the students' name, address, county and school where they did their undergraduate work.
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Subscribers to the Dr. H.H. Cherry Bronze Statue Fund
WKU Cherry Statue Committee
List of contributors to the Henry Cherry Bronze Statue Fund.
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Tablet Inscription
Western Kentucky University
Class of 1922 tablet inscription in honor of Henry Cherry. It reads: Out of Grateful Hearts. Students of the Western Normal School of 1922 have erected this tablet as a tribute to commemorate the untiring labors of Henry Hardin Cherry in elevating this institution to the rank of a college. This realization of his life-long dream marks the dawn of a new era for Western Kentucky, bringing a college education within the reach of every aspiring teacher within its borders.
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Teachers College Heights, Vol. 13, No. 2
Western Kentucky University
Monthly magazine promoting WKU and documenting campus events and courses offered. This issue describes the 25th anniversary celebration.
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Teachers College Heights, Vol. 16, No. 4
Western Kentucky University
Monthly magazine promoting WKU and documenting campus events and courses offered. This issue focuses on Homecoming, Kentucky Day athletics and the new classroom building that would be named Cherry Hall.
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Teachers College Heights, Vol. 16, No. 6
Western Kentucky University
Monthly magazine promoting WKU and documenting campus events and courses offered. This issue is dedicated to Henry Cherry and Founders Day.
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Teachers College Heights, Vol. XIII
Western Kentucky University
Monthly magazine promoting and documenting campus events and courses offered. This is a special 25th anniversary edition with special emphasis on the Glasgow Normal School and Southern Normal School.
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Teachers College Heights, Vol. XVI, No. 5
WKU Registrar
Course catalog published as Teachers College Heights fro the school years 1937-38 and 1938-39. This was the catalog in use at the time the statue was dedicated.
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Teachers College Heights, Vol. XV, No. 4
WKU Registrar
Course catalog published as Teachers College Heights for the school years 1935-36 and 1936-37 the years in which the Cherry Statue was commissioned and created.
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The Farmers' Chautauqua & the Greater County Convention
Western Kentucky University
Report regarding farmers' chautauquas held in Warren County in the fall of 1913 and the Warren County Convention which was held at Western Kentucky University. Henry Cherry was the driving force behind the chautauquas and the greater Warren County convention.
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The New Classroom Building
Bill Bass and Western Kentucky University
Postcard of the new classroom building which would be named Cherry Hall for Henry Cherry soon after his death. The rendering is by student Bill Bass. The back of the postcard is a description of the building. These were probably prepared to be given out as souvenirs at the dedication of the building.
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The State Normal Bulletin
Western Kentucky University
The first course catalog created by Western Kentucky University for the school year 1907-1908.
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Total Contributions Made for the Erection of a Bronze Statue of President Henry Hardin Cherry
WKU Cherry Statue Committee
List of signatures and contributions paid by faculty and staff to the Cherry Statue fund in 1933.
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Wesley Hall Reveals Record of Past
Unknown
Clipping from unidentified newspaper regarding the recovering of time capsule in Vanderbilt University's Wesley Hall cornerstone. Items like this were collected by the Cherry Statue Committee to guide them in choosing documents to place in bronze box beneath the statue.
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Western Kentucky State Normal School Catalog
WKU Registrar
The last catalog produced by the Western Kentucky State Normal School. The next year the name was changed to Western Kentucky State Normal School and Teachers College.
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Western State Teachers College & Normal School Catalog
WKU Registrar
Course catalog for the newly renamed Western Kentucky State Normal School & Teachers College.
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WKU Faculty & Staff
Western Kentucky University
Panoramic photograph of WKU faculty and staff, front row l to r: A.C. Webb, G.H. Reams, Mattye Reid, A.G. Wilson, M.A. Leiper, Iva Scott, Sarah Todd, Lucie Holman, Nellie Birdsong, Sue Proctor, Henry Cherry, A.J. Kinnaman, Franz Strahm, Arndt Stickles, Flora Stallard, Lou Adams, V.O. Gilbert, Elizabeth Woods, Sallie Rodes, ...Read More
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WKU Student Body
Western Kentucky University
Panoramic photograph of the WKU student body, faculty and staff.
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WKU Student Body
Western Kentucky University
Panoramic photograph of the WKU student body in front of Recitation Hall.
