New Thomas Edison statue to be dedicated in Milan
Thomas Edison has come to stay in Milan, in the form of a handsome bronze statue, a close replica of the Edison statue now representing Ohio in Statuary Hall of the Capitol Building in Washington, DC. Fabricated by sculptor Alan Cottrill of Zanesville, Ohio, he added a phonograph (Edison’s favorite invention) in Edison’s left hand for the statue in Milan. Edison’s right hand holds high his great invention, the incandescent light bulb.
Thanks to Edison Birthplace Trustee Don Gfell, who had spent years getting the original statue to Washington, he then worked extremely hard to bring a similar statue to Milan. Mr. Edison is standing atop an Ohio buckeye (OH…..IO!) He is in front of the historic Milan Township Hall on the Square. Please come to Milan to see him and don’t forget to stop and take a tour of his birthplace, just down the street a few blocks.
This was possible due to the local generosity of many, including Milan Village and Brian Rospert who dug and prepared the footer for the statue along with Milan Township employees. Dan Frederick and Dave Frederick did all the finish concrete work and Bob Bickley donated the finish sandstone along with Milan Village. Milan Township Trustees secured the location and paid for the concrete. Milan Fire Dept. participated in the unveiling. Don Gfell and Sculptor Alan Cottrill addressed the large audience and Senator Randy Gardner and Representative Steve Arndt also made remarks. The Edison High School Marching Band also performed for the occasion.
Thomas Edison has come to stay in Milan, in the form of a handsome bronze statue, a close replica of the Edison statue now representing Ohio in Statuary Hall of the Capitol Building in Washington, DC. Thanks to Edison Birthplace Trustee Don Gfell, who had spent years getting the original statue to Washington, he then worked extremely hard to bring a similar statue to Milan. This was possible due to the local generosity of many, including Milan Village and Brian Rospert who dug and prepared the footer for the statue along with Milan Township employees.