5/25/2008:
In 1914, the people of North Dakota presented a bust of Abraham Lincoln to Norway. Five years later, in gratitude to his home state for his first significant commission, the sculptor, Paul Fjelde gifted the original plaster cast, from which the bronze bust of Lincoln was made, to Valley City’s State Normal School.
Fjelde had begun his study of art at Valley City before moving on to Chicago, New York and Paris; becoming an internationally renowned artist. Meanwhile, the significance of the original plaster cast in Valley City was eventually forgotten, falling into a state of disrepair.
Nearly half a century later, its story was rediscovered, and Valley City State College presented Paul Fjelde with the first Distinguished Alumnus Award on this day in 1973. The art department refurbished the plaster bust and it was given a place of honor in the Allen Memorial Library.
Written by Christina Sunwall
Sources:
"Paul Fjelde ", Luther College Fine Arts Collection http://finearts.luther.edu/artists/fjeldepaul.html (accessed 2008).
Rolfsrud, Erling Nicolai. Lanterns over the Prairies. Brainerd, MN: Lakeland Color Press, 1949.
Welsh, Donald H. Cornerstones: A Centennial History of Valley City State University 1890-1990. Valley City, ND: Valley City Times-Record, 1990.