PIONEER MEMORIAL

Fine Arts Collection #975

Artist: Tarkjel Landsverk, 1859-1945

Nationality: Born Norway; American

Date: 1933-36

Medium/Technique: Mortar, Stone and Bronze
The Pioneer Memorial is a collection of structures including a stone wall, stone pulpit, and granite boulder and stone memorial to Laur Larsen, first president of Luther College. The wall contains 9 bronze plaques which commemorate the founding congregations of Luther College, church officials, and Norwegian settlers in the United States. The pulpit is designed to resemble a wooden stump. The stone memorial contains a granite boulder to which is attached a bronze plaque with a relief bust of Laur. Larsen. The entire memorial is surrounded by stone walkways and steps.

Original Cost: $2,586.27

Dimensions:
Wall: 117" x 840" containing 9 bronze plaques
Podium: 55" x 60" x 60"
Memorial: 96" x 84" x 144" containing 2 bronze plaques

Location: Southeast of Koren

Notes:
The sculpture was commissioned in two parts. The Laur Larsen memorial was commissioned for the centennial of Laur. Larsen's birth, celebrated at Homecoming in October 1933. This memorial was completed in 1934. In 1936, the College celebrated its 75th anniversary or Diamond Jubilee. The redesigned and expanded monument, incorporating the Laur. Larsen Memorial, now called the Pioneer Memorial, was dedicated during Homecoming 1936. Tarkjel Landsverk designed and constructed both parts of the Memorial. Prof. Sigurd Reque '03 researched and wrote the texts of the nine bronze plaques on the wall. Since its dedication, the Pioneer Memorial has been used in many ways. Open-air worship services as well as commemorative events have been celebrated there. It has served as a logo for college campaigns and members of student organizations often pose there for annual group photographs.

In 1994 the sculpture was placed on the inventory of American Sculpture maintained by the National Museum of American Art of the Smithsonian Institution. It was also reviewed by representatives of the Save Our Sculpture organization, from Iowa State University, College of Design, and placed on their inventory.

The Pioneer Memorial was renovated in two phases during the summers of 1995 and 1997. Renovation included power-washing the entire Memorial to remove pollutants and lichens, tuck pointing old mortar, replacing broken stones, capping the wall to prevent water saturation, rebuilding stone walkways, and modifying landscape plantings to improve air circulation and visibility.

Jane Kemp
Supervisor, Fine Arts Collection

John Christianson
Professor Emeritus, History Department

Updated 9/18/01