kids encyclopedia robot

Tamanend (sculpture) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Tamanend, Chief of Delaware Indians
Tecumseh
Tamanend (Tecumseh).jpg
Artist William Luke (1790-1839)
Year 1817
Type sculpture
Medium wood, then bronze
Subject Figurehead of the USS Delaware
Dimensions 2.4 m × 1.5 m × 1.2 m (96 in × 59 in × 46 in)
Location United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
Coordinates 38°58′56″N 76°29′02″W / 38.98222°N 76.48389°W / 38.98222; -76.48389
Owner United States Naval Academy
Accession June 1930


Tamanend was honored as the figurehead of USS Delaware in a carving by William Luke. Delaware was burned in 1861 at the Gosport Navy Yard to prevent Confederate capture at the start of the Civil War. In 1868, the saved figurehead, officially titled Tamanend, Chief of Delaware Indians, was transferred to the United States Naval Academy. It was placed on a pedestal outdoors, and simply labeled as "the figurehead of the Delaware". In 1906, the figure was repaired with "cement, putty and paint". It was later replaced with a bronze depiction in 1930 presented by the class of 1891. The bronze was cast at the U.S. Naval Gun Factory in 1929–30.

Description

Tecumseh and Bancroft Hall
The statue of Tecumseh (née Tamanend) at the US Naval Academy, facing Bancroft Hall.

A portrait of Chief Tamanend wearing three feathers on top of his head and carrying a quiver filled with arrows on his back. The sculpture rests atop a tall square base. The sculpture is a bronze cast of the wooden ships figurehead carved by William Luke for the USS Delaware. This bronze replica was cast from the wooden original in 1930 at the U.S. Navy gun factory.

Luke's original wooden carving was refurbished again in 1970, and now can be found in the Academy's visitor center. In 1930, its "heart" and "brains" had been placed inside the class gift to provide a continuity of presence. In the following years, the Naval Academy's name for the statue has come to be known as Tecumseh.

The statue is positioned on a base of Vermont marble immediately in front of Bancroft Hall, and measures 96 by 59 by 46 inches (2.4 m × 1.5 m × 1.2 m). The area between the figurehead and Bancroft Hall is called Tecumseh Court.

Inscriptions

Painted Tecumseh
Painted Tecumseh.

On the front base of the statue:

FIGUREHEAD
OF THE
USS
DELAWARE
1817
BRONZE REPLICA
GIFT OF THE
CLASS OF 1891

On the statue's bronze base, to the rear:

U.S. Naval Gun Factory
Navy Yard Washington, D.C.
1929

Traditions

Photograph of President Truman joining Midshipmen in tossing pennies to Tecumseh, "the god of 2.5," during his visit... - NARA - 198670
President Harry S. Truman joining Midshipmen in tossing pennies to Tecumseh (née Tamanend), during a visit to the U.S. Naval Academy
US Navy 051130-N-5390M-004 U.S. Naval Academy Midshipman Lauren Eanes and Midshipman Kevin Omalley paint the statue of Tecumseh
Painting Tecumseh

Tecumseh (the name having become accepted) is now referred to as the "God of 2.0", the passing grade point average at the academy. Midshipmen toss pennies at the monument for good luck in their examinations and Army-Navy competitions.

It is a long-standing 9th company tradition for Tamanend to be painted before every major event and home game (e.g. for Parents' Weekend in August, Homecoming in the fall, before Army-Navy contests, and for Commissioning Week in May.)

kids search engine
Tamanend (sculpture) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.