Liberty Eagle Sculptor Gone, But Art Lives On Harry Robinson, creator of Bert the Liberty Eagle, died at age 87. By Jason Koestenblatt (Patch Staff) Updated January 17, 2012 at 5:13 pm 6 In Washington Township, where United States history is revered, it’s only fitting that a patriotic landmark be birthed from arbor that was here long before the residents. The Liberty Eagle, carved in 1999 from the dying Liberty Tree, stands for thousands of daily passersby to see at the intersection of Flocktown and Schooley’s Mountain Roads. Residents and travelers alike know about the Liberty Eagle, referred to as Bert, but not all are aware of the man who sculpted the landmark nearly 13 years ago. Harry Robinson of Bernardsville, a professional civil engineer and sculpting hobbyist, worked for six months to transform the centuries-old tree into a local landmark–just one of his many creations. Robinson created a handful of sculptures in the area in addition to Bert, according to his daughter Martha Symon of Tewksbury. Once serving as a work of art by a local sculptor, Robinson’s creations will now take on the role of memorial pieces. Robinson, at age 87, had a massive stroke on Dec. 20, Symon said. Three days later he died, leaving behind his wife of 63 years, two daughters, six grandchildren and one great grandchild. “He never really talked a lot,” Symon said. “But when he said something, you listened.” Robinson was a consummate volunteer, his daughter said. The World War II veteran was a blimp pilot for the United States Navy just after graduating high school in Toledo, Ohio. When he and his wife moved to Bernardsville in the late 1960s, where they stayed for 39 years, Robinson became a church elder at the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church; tutored inner-city children; and worked with the local Meals on Wheels program. The hobbyist continued sculpting up until just a few months prior to his passing, his daughter said. An Easy Decision Township administrator Diane Galletts knew of Robinson’s work and recommended commissioning him for the project, said Morris County Freeholder Margaret Nordstom, who was Washington Township’s mayor at the time. “The tree had great sentimental as well as historical value, and we were all heartbroken when we learned it was in bad shape,” Nordstrom said. “We thought (sculpting the tree) was a great idea since it gave us the opportunity to salvage at least part of it.” When Robinson first arrived at the tree to study his new canvas, he was accompanied by Symon. “There it was, this big, tall stump,” said Symon. “My dad said it was in good enough condition to carve, and, just like that, said ‘It’s an eagle.’ That’s how he decided what he was going to do.” Robinson then created sketches of what he expected to sculpt and presented them to the township. Once given the go ahead, he created a rough outline with a chainsaw, said Symon. From there, all the work was completed with a mallet and chisel, Symon said, and Robinson was aided by one other person to smooth out details on the finished product. Once complete, the landmark was then dedicated on Veteran’s Day that year. “On 9/11, people didn’t really know what to do or know where to go, so they went to (the Liberty Eagle) and left flowers,” Symon said. “It’s a good American landmark.” What’s In a Name? Engraved at the base of the sculpture are the words Liberty Eagle, but the statue is often referred to as Bert. That wasn’t by design, according to Symon. Apparently a passerby called Gallets one day, asking why the eagle had been named Bert, Symon said. Gallets inquired as to where the information came from, and the caller said that from her perception while driving, all she could see were the letters that spelled Bert. From then on, the Liberty Eagle would be known as the coincidental name. The base of the statue underwent some , months after a tractor-trailer scraped the base, forcing it to open up and become infested with termites and powder-post beetles. At this point in time, Bert is in as good of shape as ever, and continues to oversee the traffic that flows through Washington Township’s busiest road. And while Harry Robinson was only able to enjoy the landmark he created for eight years–he and his wife moved to Doylestown, Pennsylvania four years before his death–it is the rest of Washington Township’s residents and those who pass through town that may enjoy it for generations to come. Maria Scors Connect with me MariaScors.KWRealty
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 12:40:06 +0000
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