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Monumental achievement: The Volkmanns tell the story of Springfield’s distinctive statues and monuments By Jacqueline Jackson - 02/07/2008 The Illinois Times More Info on This Book: Springfield's Sculptures, Monuments, and Plaques
It would be a better book were Arcadia more than it is, a press that publishes uniform local histories under uniform formats and restrictions. Such books have value, but the limits frustrate. Roberta was allowed only 40 to 70 words per picture, and though this is essentially a picture book the pictures were also limited. Into the commentary she had to pack facts, an explanation of why the item exists, and, if she had room left over, any interesting bits — and it’s those bits we want filled out. She managed pretty well with one of my cemetery favorites: “A white marble Mattie Rayburn stands at the top of the imposing 40-foot polished Scotch granite shaft, second in height . . . only to Lincoln’s tomb. Married to a charismatic itinerant pastor, Mattie’s biography is sketchy and tinged with scandal. Ironically, the inscription at the base reads, ‘What God has joined together let not man put asunder.’ Bishop Rayburn is buried somewhere in Europe.” There’s not room to quote Bishop Rayburn, who said that he’d placed his second wife high up so she could look down on those who had looked down on her in life. There’s additional info, too, on the “receiving tomb” where Lincoln’s body lay for nearly seven months: “It was available for those who in ‘sudden bereavement’ had not chosen a lot. The fee for using the tomb was $5. Victims of smallpox or cholera were forbidden.” It’s such bits that make us hungry for more. This project (conceived by Carl and grabbed by Arcadia) became a community effort. The Volkmanns had six months to fulfill their contract; word spread, and friends and strangers called to report unknown or humble monuments. These led the Volkmanns into places untrodden and to people the couple found stimulating to meet. I learned, talking to Carl, that he often returned repeatedly to a plaque or statue until he got a photograph suiting his exacting standards. The two were allowed access to the Willard Ice Building, containing treasures few of us are privileged to see, and we about learn state and federal laws that mandate the setting aside of a percentage of a public building’s cost for art. We see photos of the results at our schools, colleges, university, and public structures. Here’s hoping we can persuade this capable pair to continue with a book on how this one came into being and to include some spots of interest from a wider area. They discovered too late (during a scavenger hunt!) the little plaque, under a dogwood tree on the UIS campus, dedicated to the beloved dog who led a student named Myrna in her wheelchair through her college education. The book might start from there; we’ll all have suggestions. The Volkmanns will sign books 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, at Prairie Archives; 11:30 a.m.-12:50 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, in the Old State Capitol Rotunda; and starting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Barnes & Noble. Buy It Now: Springfield's Sculptures, Monuments, and Plaques $19.99 A New Book on Springfield Statuary By Lincoln Library Bulletin Staff Writer - 03/01/2008 Lincoln Library Bulletin
This book, which includes chapters on statuary and plaques, located in the state government buildings, of Abraham Lincoln, and Oak Ridge Cemetery is an excellent resource guide for visitors to Springfield as well as residents interested in the rich and diverse collection of art in the city. IT also serves as a refreshing and interesting way to learn about the history of this community. The Volkmann’s book is available at Lincoln Library in the SVXC. AT this time the book is not in circulation at the library. However, it may be purchased at many of the bookstores and gift shops in Springfield. For more information on this book call the Sangamon Valley Collection at 217-753-4900, extension, 234. Books, Recordings by alumni and faculty By Wartburg Magazine Staff Writer - 01/01/2008 Wartburg Magazine
Authors tell unique story of Springfield’s part By UIS Alumni Magazine Staff Writer - 07/01/2008 University of Illinois at Springfield Alumni Magazine
Thorough more than 200 images, local historian’s Carl and Roberta Volkmann share the story of Springfield’s past through it s impressive historic art pieces. The Volkmann’s’ hope for the book is that it “will serve three purposes: a record of history, a guide for exploring Springfield and a catalyst for future research.” Carl and Roberta Volkmann have lived in Springfield since 1960. They both stated their teaching careers in the 1960’s. Carl left teaching to enter the field of librarianship and ended this career as director of Lincoln Library, the public library of Springfield. After more than 20 years of teaching, Roberta served as an arts educational consultant fo rth Illinois State Board of Education before she retired. They are both currently freelance writers and community volunteers. Couple combine interests to create book: Work focuses on city’s monuments, sculptures, plaques By Staff Writer - 08/12/2008 State Journal-Register
Carl Volkmann, 74, has a high interest in history. He started his career as a high school history teacher in Buffalo and retired as the director of the Lincoln Library. Roberta Volkmann, 71, is a teacher and writer. She was a music educator who taught teacher training courses throughout the Springfield area. Since she retired from the board of education, she has done arts education consulting. It actually was Carl Volkmann’s love for history that led to their first book, “Springfield’s Sculptures, Monuments and Plaques.” “There’s no question the book melded two interests. Carl took the pictures, I did the writing and we both did the research. I found I had some interest in history,” Roberta Volkmann said. Their book was published by Arcadia Publishing in February. Carl Volkmann knew of the company because he had done some writing for Illinois Heritage and had seen the book “Chicago’s Monuments, Markers and Memorials,” which also was published by Arcadia. The book of more than 200 black-and-white photographs has pictures of sculptures, monuments and plaques from five areas: government buildings, Lincoln’s neighborhood, educational institutions, Oak Ridge Cemetery and around the town. The two decided on the book after Carl Volkmann began taking pictures of Lincoln statutes around the state. The two shared the tasks of researching. “We were a little nervous about the research,” Roberta Volkmann said. “We had been told, ‘Be very careful about what you put into print, because that becomes fact,’” she said. “We had five separate fact checkers in Springfield go through the book.” When the couple was working on the book, Roberta Volkmann was surprised how much the average person holds history in regard. “We found a historic marker in the backyard of someone’s home. They were taking care of it — no one asked them to — but they were. They had a rock garden around it and they added it to their landscape. And there’s a house on Chatham Road, where they have the grave of a Revolutionary hero in the backyard, and they take care of that, too. It’s amazing and you wouldn’t think that people would care about those things, but they do,” she said. The initial project idea blossomed when friends began contacting them to make sure they knew about a certain monument or plaque, Carl Volkmann said. “Even now, we are getting more calls,” he said. The continued interest has led them to their newest project, a Web site that is a sort of continuation of the book. “We didn’t have enough for a Part Two,” said Carl Volkmann, “but we have enough to keep adding to the Web site.” The address is www.springfield sculptures.net. Carl and Roberta Volkmann have both had articles published, but seeing their names on a book was a different experience. “We got two copies and just sat and went through them,” Carl Volkmann said. Seeing their book on shelves in the city is a very cool experience, they said. “I like to go to the stores with our book and just straighten up the shelves,” said Roberta Volkmann with a laugh. “I move our book just a little closer to the front of the shelf,” Carl Volkmann added. Anyone interested in finding out the different nooks and crannies of Springfield that have historical treasures can pick up the book at stores around the city — from Walgreens to the gift shop at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library. Arcadia Publishing was founded in Dover, N.H., in 1933, publishing local history books. Specializing in historic publications, Arcadia now has a corporate office in Mount Pleasant, S.C., and other offices in Charleston, S.C., San Francisco, Chicago and Portsmouth, N.H. It publishes a series of books that chronicles the histories of communities, campus history, images of sports as well as corporate, military and transportation. |
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