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The Pioneer Mother Memorial

The Pioneer Mother Memorial, also known as Pioneer Mother and Pioneer Mothers, is a 1928 bronze sculpture by American artist Avard Fairbanks. It is installed in Esther Short Park in Vancouver, Washington, United States. The monument depicts a mother with three children and honors the pioneer mothers who settled in the Pacific Northwest. The central female figure may represent Esther Short, one of the first American citizens to arrive at Fort Vancouver. Commissioned by Vancouver banker Edward Crawford and his wife Ida for $10,000, it is one of the city’s oldest public artworks, acquired in 1928 and dedicated in 1929. The sculpture was renovated in the early 2000s and is maintained by the City of Vancouver Parks and Recreation department.

Pioneer Mother Memorial statue of a woman with three youths holding her garments, set on a rocky base with a fountain below.
The Pioneer Mother Memorial in a black-and-white photograph, showing the central figure with three youths at her side.
June 1960 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Pioneer Mother Memorial sculpture showing a standing figure with three children on a rocky base in a park setting.
The Pioneer Mother Memorial stands along a concrete path in Esther Short Park, surrounded by grass and trees.
September 2013 © · Public domain
Pioneer Mother Memorial sculpture of a robed figure on a stone base with three smaller figures at her feet.
The Pioneer Mother Memorial shows a robed figure standing above three smaller figures in Esther Short Park.
September 2013 © · Public domain
Pioneer Mother Memorial bronze statue of a woman on a stone base, flanked by smaller figures and surrounded by trees.
The Pioneer Mother Memorial stands on a rough stone base amid trees in an outdoor park setting.
June 1930 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Man standing beside the Pioneer Mother Memorial sculpture showing a draped female figure with two smaller figures at her sides.
Avard Fairbanks stands next to the Pioneer Mother Memorial, a large sculpture of a draped woman with two smaller figures beside her.
© · Public domain

Identification

TitleThe Pioneer Mother Memorial
Alternative namesPioneer Mother; Pioneer Mothers; Monumento conmemorativo a la madre pionera
TypePublic art memorial sculpture

Historical context

Date created1928

Creator

ArtistAvard Fairbanks
Artist nationalityAmerican

Discovery and provenance

Commissioned byVancouver banker Edward Crawford and his wife Ida
Commission priceUS$10,000
Acquired1928
Foundry / casting locationFlorence, Italy, while Fairbanks was working on his Guggenheim Fellowship

Physical characteristics

DimensionsNot specified in the source
DepictsA mother with three children
Figure countOne mother and three children

Materials

MaterialBronze
Base materialConcrete and granite
Backdrop materialConcrete

Technique

CastingCast in Florence, Italy

Appearance

Backdrop featureA concrete backdrop stands behind the figure group
Medallion diameterNot specified in the source
Medallion detailsA large barrel is attached to the wagon; a cattle skull appears at the bottom of the medallion
Medallion figuresA man drives the oxen, with a woman and baby in the wagon
Medallion subjectA team of oxen pulling a covered wagon
Reverse-side decorationBronze medallion with a bas-relief
Girl interactionThe taller girl holds the smaller girl with her left hand; the smaller girl leans against the mother's right knee
Boy interactionThe boy clings to the mother's dress and leans on her rifle
Children depictedTwo girls and one boy
Hand placementHer left hand rests on the head of the taller girl at her proper left side
Object heldFlintlock rifle in her proper right hand
PoseStanding and facing forward
ClothingTraditional pioneer clothing, including a long dress, shawl, and shoes

Iconography and meaning

CommemoratesPioneer mothers who settled in the Pacific Northwest
Subject interpretationSome sources say it specifically commemorates Esther Short; others say it typifies all frontier mothers in the Pacific Northwest
Possible subject identificationThe main female figure may represent Esther Short, according to some sources and the unveiling ceremony program

Location and ownership

MaintenanceMaintained by the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Vancouver
Park associationInstalled in Esther Short Park
LocationNorth entrance of Esther Short Park at West 8th and Daniel Street, between Columbia and Esther Streets, Vancouver, Washington, United States

History and restoration

UnveiledJuly 21, 1929; some sources give September 7, 1929
Unveiling attendeeAvard Fairbanks attended the unveiling ceremony
RestorationRenovated in the early 21st century as part of park improvement efforts
Condition assessmentClassified as needing treatment by the Smithsonian Institution's Save Outdoor Sculpture! program in May 1995

Significance

Historical significanceOne of Vancouver's oldest works of public art; according to the Clark County Historical Museum, the oldest

Other

Inscription on woman's feetText not provided in the source
Medallion inscription 1Below the wagon; includes a copyright symbol, but the wording is not provided
Medallion inscription 2Text not provided in the source
Backdrop signed inscriptionText not provided in the source