Tag Archives: Piqua Ohio

Joan Of Arc Out Of Storage

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Once in a while you find yourself in a place where you turn a corner and are astonished by what you see. I live for those moments. Whether it’s a meadow of wildflowers, a mural that brightens an alleyway or anything else that’s out of the ordinary, I’m all in for these experiences. At the library in Piqua, Ohio, there’s a life-sized statue of Joan of Arc that sits, unceremoniously, in a corner. 

I entered this space to admire the beautiful light streaming through the windows. Imagine my delight when I turned to see her.

Created by Henri Chapu in 1872, this is a plaster copy of the original by the Caproni Brothers of Boston. The tag next to her says that this piece appeared in their 1914 catalog. It was purchased and presented to Piqua High School by the Class of 1917. She was exhibited at the high school for many years. 

Sadly, her identity was lost at some point and she became the “Squaw” to go with the Indian statue that was exhibited in the high school lobby before moving to storage. The tag tells us that she was discovered in the basement of the Board of Education Office, brought to the library, and restored by the Piqua High School Art Club. It was during the restoration they discovered her identity. 

There is a lot to unpack here. First of all, the library inherited several pieces of artwork when the old school closed. That’s how they have so many interesting things to enjoy. 

Second, she’s beautiful. I have read that Henri Chapu was a classical sculptor who explored bringing elegance and naturalism to his work. This piece was especially popular among the nineteenth century French who were fascinated by Joan of Arc.The original marble statue can be viewed at Musee d’Orsay in Paris along with other works by this artist. 

It’s worthwhile to note here that the Caproni Brothers were famous for their work manufacturing plaster copies of classical and contemporary statues. These pieces were largely created for educational purposes to give people access to art and antiquities they otherwise might never see. They are mostly found at major universities and other places with more wealth. To have one in a local high school was kind of a big deal and it’s still a big deal to have access to this piece today. 

I’m thrilled that she was kept safe all those years but, golly wow, what abuse and neglect she endured. Hundreds of years before Piqua, Ohio was a place to find on a map, Joan of Arc died at the age of 19 after overcoming gender roles to become the defender of France. She’s a patron saint of France. It seems like we should remember her name, tell her stories, honor her significance and not call her “Squaw.”

Luckily, she’s out amongst the living today and in a place that will keep her safe. I’m hoping the librarians tell her tales, encouraging young girls and women to be the hero of their own stories.

Art At The Library

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Yesterday I gave you a glimpse into the public library in Piqua, Ohio. It’s a magnificent building that was hopping with people on the Saturday we visited for a look-see.

I’m a big fan of any institution that encourages people to expand their horizons. Libraries are wonderful resources for free programs, book clubs and things that you might not expect. Some libraries now loan items like bicycles, guitars, crock pots and power tools. I have seen a couple of libraries that allow you to borrow people to talk to. Some, including Piqua, have a maker’s space where you can access a 3D printer, sewing machine, photo editing equipment, and more.

They also have interesting things like local art and historic artifacts on display. 

Step inside the library in Piqua and, if you’re like me, you’ll be overwhelmed by the beauty of it all. An imposing fireplace, columns, stained glass, marble and a beautiful glass ceiling give the eye plenty to devour. These elements create a tremendous big picture but there are so many details to appreciate too. 

There is art from local residents and some plaster copies of famous sculptures to be found around the building.

Incidentally, there is enough to see that I didn’t realize until going through photos that I had missed that there’s a bookstore inside the library. Friends, I have never once in my life missed a bookstore, especially a used one. By golly, I missed this one!

Places like this are increasingly important as our economy worsens and as priorities shift in terms of funding things that enrich our lives. Places like libraries, museums and other things that brighten our day and help us learn but don’t make money are vital to many of us. If your budget is tight, check out your local library for events, things that are beautiful and materials you can take home and learn from at your own pace. If you’re close to Piqua, go check out their art!

Piqua, Ohio Library Is Worth A Stop

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Before traveling, I research local libraries at or near my destination. If there’s a Carnegie Library or if there’s something interesting to see, I’m nearly always willing to travel out of my way to visit.

A couple of months ago I found myself in Piqua, Ohio with a few hours for exploration. I had read about their spectacular library so we went for a look-see. 

It is described as a Richardson Romanesque building that was constructed as the Piqua Plaza Hotel. At five stories, the 1891 building is a massive and imposing presence in the city’s downtown. I had to look up Richardson Romanesque because I wasn’t familiar with the name. It uses stone walls, round arches and contrasting colors to create a heavy appearance. This style was popular for public buildings between 1880 and 1900. While I recognized the style, I had no idea what it was called. 

The hotel was built in 1891 with 100 rooms. Teddy Roosevelt, Harry Houdini, Woodrow Wilson and William Howard Taft are said to have visited here. Tragically, the hotel began to fail in the 1950s and was boarded up in the eighties. It was renovated in the early 2000’s.

We talked to a nice librarian who shared some interesting facts and stories about the place. He also shared some of the more recent history when the building was preserved to give three floors of space to library patrons, storage and a ballroom operated by the city. Each floor is accessible by an elevator that uses the hotel’s original elevator shaft. 

Friends, this building is magnificent. I couldn’t believe the magnitude of the building from the outside and could only say “wow” when we went inside. A black and white tile floor, gorgeous woodwork, high ceilings, artwork everywhere, a backing, a restored skylight and so much more make this space feel special.

And when I say special, I mean truly special. If I lived closer, I would be there all the time. What a magnificent place to write, to discover new books and to explore unexpected ideas. It’s sad to think how close this building came to the brink when it was boarded up in the eighties. 

It has the feel of an art museum with busts, reliefs, paintings and other pieces all throughout the building. You’ll find something interesting to study and enjoy in every nook and cranny of the public space. What a delightful place to explore on a rainy day! And all I could think is what a fun, exciting, intriguing place to be a little kid in search of adventure through books!

The Piqua Library is located at 116 West High Street in downtown Piqua. If you’re in town, swing by and have a look around!

I will write more about some of the artwork and historic pieces on display here so check back another day!

The Lickity Splitter

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It’s called the Lickity Splitter.

I found it in, of all places, the WACO Air Museum and Aviation Learning Center in Troy, Ohio. While that museum is dedicated mostly to the WACO airplanes made in town a century ago, they also have a few pieces related to general local history.

Note: I dug a little deeper after I wrote that line and the internet tells me the man who patented the design was a fella named Clayton Brukner who was once the head of the WACO Air Company. This rings a bell for me – I think I read it on a museum sign and then promptly forgot.

Anyway….

This is a log splitter that was produced by the Piqua Engineering Company. The sign says they started making these things in 1958 and it was basically the Cadillac of log splitters back in the day.

The Piqua Engineering Company opened in 1942 as a manufacturer of airplanes and producer of parts for the US government during the war. Postwar years led them in different directions to make neon signs, dumbwaiters, paper bailers and log splitters, among other things.

Oddly enough, there’s one for sale in an online auction. Click here if you wish to place your bid but do it soon as the auction ends on March 22, 2023. It’s in Brooklyn, Mississippi. I found one that sold a while back for $1,100.

By the way, I never thought that I would be writing about a log splitter but I found the picture from my day at the WACO museum and couldn’t resist asking the question that so often travels through my mind. What the heck is that?

Piqua Milling Company

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I break for great old industrial buildings. The Piqua Milling Company in downtown Piqua, Ohio made me go around the block for a quick looksee.

It appeared vacant when I visited last summer. The fact it’s still there and looking so great is probably a miracle. It would make a fantastic restaurant or even an inn or brewery.

Here’s hoping someone does something amazing with it before it’s too late.

Stained Glass

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Stained glass is best viewed from the inside. It’s impressive from the street but extraordinary when the light shines in. This window is from this church I visited in Piqua, Ohio last year.

Stained glass has been documented in churches since the seventh century so there’s a long tradition of using this inspirational art. Not only is it beautiful, the imagery can be used to tell a story.

Rain has moved in so today probably won’t be good for adventures or for seeing light stream through the stained glass of an old church. Wherever you are, I hope you enjoy this day.