[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 126 (Tuesday, September 25, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1737-E1738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO PAUL W. IVORY, ADMINISTRATOR OF CHESTERWOOD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN W. OLVER

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2001

  Mr. OLVER. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to commend Paul W. 
Ivory, who as of September 30 will retire as the Administrator of 
Chesterwood, the former country home and studio of sculptor Daniel 
Chester French in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. French was the creator of 
two of America's most powerful symbols: The Minute Man (1875) in 
Concord, Massachusetts and Abraham Lincoln (1922) for the Lincoln 
Memorial in Washington, DC.
  At Chesterwood, which was designed by noted architect Henry Bacon, 
French executed many commissions, and he also designed the gardens and 
woodland walks around the grounds. French is considered to be one of

[[Page E1738]]

the most important artists of the late 19th century and early 20th 
century when our country was undergoing enormous change as an emerging 
world power. Playing a large role in a national movement to commemorate 
its heroes, French created more than 100 works of public sculpture.
  In 1969, Chesterwood was donated to the National Trust for Historic 
Preservation by French's daughter, Margaret French Cresson. Shortly 
thereafter, Paul Ivory took over as Administrator of the museum and 
residence, and he has been its guiding force for the past 30 years. Mr. 
Ivory employed unparalleled dedication, expertise and commitment to 
excellence in overseeing the facilities and programming at Chesterwood 
during a time when it evolved into one of the most outstanding artistic 
and cultural attractions in the region, and indeed in the country.
  Today, Chesterwood holds nearly 500 pieces of sculpture by Daniel 
Chester French, including molds, casts and studies--making it one of 
the largest collections of fine art devoted to a single American 
sculptor. Visitors to Chesterwood can enjoy a number of activities, 
including the studio where French worked and a residence that 
demonstrates the architectural elements of the Italian Villa and 
Colonial Revival styles. They can also walk through the studio garden 
with its flowered borders, sculptures and vistas of the Berkshire 
Hills. And they can view exhibits at the new Barn Gallery that bring 
the career and classical work of French to life even more. Among the 
other programs and exhibitions that have come to life under Mr. Ivory's 
charge are the Contemporary Sculpture at Chesterwood Series (22 years 
running), which allows visitors to compare diverse artistic styles and 
materials from both the past and the present, and the Sculpture in 
Residence, where visitors can become engaged in the art through a 
series of exhibitions and demonstrations, along with the Walking Tours 
of Contemporary Sculpture and the Annual Antique Car Show.
  Mr. Speaker, Paul Ivory has demonstrated by his many accomplishments 
at Chesterwood that he is a man of outstanding ability and 
professionalism. At the same time, he has always exhibited deep respect 
for all of his associates and everyone connected with Chesterwood. 
Under his management, patronage at Chesterwood has grown to several 
thousand visitors every year, who come to be informed, entertained and 
edified. I also think it is appropriate to note that Mr. Ivory is a 
decorated Viet Nam veteran who earned the Army Commendation Medal, the 
National Defense Service Medal, the Viet Nam Service Medal, and the 
Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Ribbon with Device. I am proud to honor 
Mr. Ivory today and to express appreciation on behalf of myself and the 
western Massachusetts community in recognizing his accomplishments as 
Administrator of Chesterwood.

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