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The Will Rogers Story Statue Series |
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The Will Rogers Story Statue Series |
E-mail RCHS |
Purpose OF THE "WILL ROGERS STORY"
The twofold purpose of "The Will Rogers Story" statue series project is:
(1) to honor Will Rogers and promote his philosophies to be an inspiration to current and future generations, and
(2) to provide a long-term source of financial support and publicity for the Rogers County Historical Society's preservation and restoration efforts.
"All I Know Is What I
Read In The Papers"
~ Will Rogers
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This first in a series of monuments to Will Rogers, sculpted by Sandra Van Zandt, was commissioned by the Rogers County Historical Society. It was presented to the City of Claremore, Oklahoma, November 2, 1996. This life-size bronze statue, depicting Will's newspaper career, is located in front of the Claremore Progress Newspaper building on Will Rogers Boulevard in downtown Claremore. |
 Click picture for larger image (110k_jpeg) Photo by Rhoads Photography |
The Rogers County Historical Society is offering two sizes of limited edition bronze miniatures for major donors:
If you are interested in obtaining one of the miniatures or other memorabelia, please contact Connie Jesina at 918-341-8688 or Jack Davidson at 918-341-2918, or write to RCHS Statue Committee, P.O. Box 774, Claremore, OK 74018, or E-mail to jcary3@aol.com
Rogers County Historical Society is a non-profit, 501(c)3 corporation. Portions of your donations may be tax deductible as allowed by the Internal Revenue Service.
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"I don't tell jokes...
I just watch the
government and report the facts"
~ Will Rogers
| Will Rogers was noted for his down-home humor and one of his famous quotes was "I don't tell jokes, I just watch the government and report the facts." This is the name of the second statue that was unveiled November 15, 1997 at the grand opening of the Will Rogers Center (formerly the Will Rogers Hotel). This one and a quarter life size bronze statue, sculpted by Sandra Van Zandt, represents his career in radio broadcasting. He is standing before a vintage KVOO radio microphone with a large grin on his face, as if performing one of his famous Sunday evening radio broadcasts. |
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The Rogers County Historical Society is offering two sizes of limited edition bronze miniatures for major donors:
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A poster commemorating the opening of the Will Rogers Center, and picturing the statue moquette, will be given to each major donor. You may obtain your own poster by submitting $10.00 plus $2.50 for shipping expenses). A variety of mugs, t-shirts, cards, and other memorabelia are also available. (Click here for price list.) |
If you are interested in obtaining one of the miniatures or other memorabelia, please contact Connie Jesina at 918-341-8688 or Jack Davidson at 918-341-2918, or write to RCHS Statue Committee, P.O. Box 774, Claremore, OK 74018, or E-mail to jcary3@aol.com
Rogers County Historical Society is a non-profit, 501(c)3 corporation. Portions of your donations may be tax deductible as allowed by the Internal Revenue Service.
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"...Just A Couple Of
Oklahoma Boys
Tryin' To Get Along"
~ Will Rogers
| This monument, the third in the Will Rogers Story series, will honor both the adventurous pioneer spirit and the aviation background of Oklahoma's two favorite sons, Will Rogers and Wiley Post. This one and a quarter life size bronze statue, to be sculpted by Sandra Van Zandt, it will depict them standing on a pontoon of Wiley's historic Lockheed Orion as they prepare to leave Fairbanks, Alaska, en route to Point Barrow, Alaska, on their tragic flight on August 15, 1935. The proposed unveiling of this monument is in November, 1999. |
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The Rogers County Historical Society will be offering two sizes of limited edition bronze miniatures for major donors:
If you are interested in obtaining one of the miniatures or other memorabelia, please contact Connie Jesina at 918-341-8688 or Jack Davidson at 918-341-2918, or write to RCHS Statue Committee, P.O. Box 774, Claremore, OK 74018, or E-mail to jcary3@aol.com
Rogers County Historical Society is a non-profit, 501(c)3 corporation. Portions of your donations may be tax deductible as allowed by the Internal Revenue Service.
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Sandra Van Zandt
Art Sculptures
Ltd.
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Originally from Claremore, Oklahoma, Sandra's artistic talent was impressive enough to earn her a scholarship to study art at Missouri’s Cottey College. She gained further exposure and training in sculpture by studying with other professionals at both the Scottsdale Artist's School and the Loveland Academy of Fine Art. |
In the early 1990's, she was commissioned to sculpt two historic monuments. "The Spirit of Naval Aviation" was unveiled in Washington, D.C. at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air & Space Museum and is permanently enshrined at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida. "The Cherokee Kid", a life-size equestrian monument to Will Rogers is located in historic downtown Oologah, Oklahoma, Rogers' birthplace.
"My role, I feel as an artist, is to bring an important person, thing, or moment in history to life and preserve it for future generations."
~ Sandra Van Zandt
Commissioned by the Rogers County Historical Society, the Will Rogers Story represents the supreme challenge because she must capture both an important moment in time, and bring the subject to life. She states, that "In this important instance, the artwork becomes a challenge instead of a commission."
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Limited Edition Print
| The Rogers County Historical Society is presenting "Local News", a drawing by Sandi Dyer. This limited edition (maximum 250) print of Will Rogers sitting on a park bench reading the Claremore Progress newspaper is being used to raise funds to support the preservation efforts of the Rogers County Historical Society. You may obtain this print by submitting a $20.00 donation (plus $2.50 for shipping expenses) to: RCHS Statue Committee - "Local News", P. 0. Box 774, Claremore, OK 74018. |  |
Rogers County Historical Society is a non-profit, 501(c)3 corporation. Donations for this print may be tax deductible as allowed by the Internal Revenue Service.
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This Page Last Updated 24 April 1999 by Marilyn McClain
This page has been accessed () times since 13 September 1999
Copyright © 1997 Rogers County Historical Society, All Rights Reserved
