Tragedy at Winter Quarters - 1936
Tragedy at Winter Quarters by Avard T. Fairbanks
This heroic two-figure statue was created by Avard T. Fairbanks in 1936 while serving as Professor of Sculpture at the University of Michigan. It commemorates the tragic winter of 1846-47 for the Mormon Pioneers at Omaha, Nebraska. Many of the Mormon Pioneers perished at Winter Quarters before their overland trek began for a new home in the Rocky Mountains.
It is a sorrowful statue depicting the tragedy with a pioneer man and his wife; in his right hand he holds a shovel, and in front of them is the shallow grave containing the remains of their deceased infant child. It is erected centrally in the park with a plaque in front of it with many of the names of Pioneers who died at Winter Quarters.
A smaller working model of Tragedy at Winter Quarters is available for purchase.
Dimensions
38” H | 26” W | 20.5" D
Artwork Medium
- All reproduced sculptured works of Avard T. Fairbanks are postmortem.
- The mediums are Bronze, cast Stone, Marble, or Resin. Produced from the sculptor’s original model, each bronze casting is professionally produced and followed throughout the casting process by one of Avard T. Fairbanks’ original assistants (his son).
- This includes retouching the wax, chasing the bronze, and selecting the patina to ensure that each piece is of museum collectable quality.
Historical Website External Source
Gravely Speaking website
https://gravelyspeaking.com/2020/07/26/tragedy-at-winter-quarters/
Historical Website External Source
Historical website Clio
Mormon Pioneer Cemetery Monument, “Tragedy of Winter Quarters”
https://theclio.com/entry/101339Historical Website External Source
Nebraska Government website
https://history.nebraska.gov/omahas-tragedy-of-winter-quarters-monument/