“Si monumentum requiris, circumspice.”
(“If
you seek his monument, look around.”)
~ Epitaph of Sir Christopher
Wren (1632-1723) in St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, England, of which he was
architect. The phrase is generally used to describe a person’s legacy – and can
be taken to mean that what we leave behind (including intangible things like relationships)
best represents our life.
General Harry C. Trexler looks majestic and stately on
horseback as a light January snowfall brushes this beautiful bronze statue of
his image on a winter afternoon at Trexler Memorial Park, Allentown,
Pennsylvania.
General Trexler (1854-1933) is the father of
Allentown’s park system. He was an industrialist, agriculturist,
philanthropist, conservationist and soldier. The park is his namesake.
During his lifetime, General Trexler contributed a great deal to the growth
and quality of life in the City of Allentown and the surrounding County of
Lehigh.
This bronze statue of General Trexler was presented to
the City of Allentown by his trustees Nolan P. Benner, William B. Butz, Joseph
S. Young, Carl J.W. Hessinger and Richard E. White. It was commissioned January
16, 1979 and dedicated May 8, 1982.
General Trexler was a great man, and I’m personally
very thankful to him, as Trexler Memorial Park and Trexler Nature Preserve,
Schnecksville, Pennsylvania are two of my very favorite places to be and to
photograph.
