Scipio Smith Statue Project

05/29/2025

Today is the day for the statue unveiling!
Thursday, May 29th at 4:30pm.

Happy Scipio Smith Day everyone!

05/22/2025

ONE WEEK!

02/28/2025

In case you haven't heard the news.... WE DID IT!
The statue project has been funded and a 6'4" bronze statue of Scipio Smith will be installed in Downtown Lancaster!
Thank you to all of the donors, the Fairfield County Heritage Association and the Fairfield County Foundation!

Now it's time to plan a party!

It's official: The Scipio Smith Statue is headed to Downtown Lancaster!
A few generous donations have just put us over the top and the word has been given to sculptor Alan Cottrill to finish the project! Scipio will be installed next to the Ohio Glass Museum which was the location of his tinsmith shop. More details on the unveiling will be coming soon but you'll want to mark Scipio Smith Day (May 29) on your calendar!

The 6'4" bronze statue will join General Sherman as the only other statue in Downtown Lancaster.
Thank you to all of the generous donors who made this a possibility! Also, big thank you to the Fairfield County Foundation for their hard work and support! The fund will remain open so that money will be available for any care or maintenance.
Thank you to Park National Bank, Lancaster Ohio for donating the plot of land that the statue will sit on!

02/14/2025

Thank You to a local business owner who will donate the final $10,000 when we reach that point!
We can do this! Any amount helps!

02/13/2025

Thank you to Eagle-Gazette Jeff Barron!

02/02/2025

Scipio Smith returned to the church he founded around 200 years ago!
Today (2/2), the maquette of Scipio visited Allen Chapel and its congregation. It was an amazing sight to see during the sermon as the first pastor of the church stood behind the current one, Evan Saunders.

The maquette is a 1/2 size version of the finished product and is one of the final steps in the process.

01/25/2025

It was a milestone moment in the progress of the Scipio Smith Statue Project! I have taken possession of the maquette, which is a 1/2 size version of the final product.

Alan Cottrill from Alan Cottrill Sculpture Studio and Gallery did an amazing job! It is beautifully crafted and I cannot wait to see the final life-size version in Downtown Lancaster!

Also, at the studio was Todd Ware. He is in the beginning stages of commissioning a statue for a figure named Nelson Gant in Zanesville. Gant has a similar story to Scipio - from slave to businessman. We look forward to following their progress as well at the Nelson T. Gant Foundation!

01/01/2025

Thank You so much for an incredible year of fundraising! We look forward to another great year in 2025!

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas!
Have a safe and happy holiday!

12/17/2024

AMAZING! Watch as the Fairfield County Heritage Association brings Scipio Smith to life with the help of AI.