Life-Size Bronze Sculpture of Margaret Fuller to Be Unveiled
A life-size bronze sculpture of 19th-century literary figure and women's rights advocate Margaret Fuller has been donated to the Concord Free Public Library Corporation and will be unveiled to the public on May 23, 2026. The sculpture, created in 1985 by acclaimed American artist Penelope Jencks, reflects her distinguished career in public art, which includes works such as the Eleanor Roosevelt Monument at Riverside Park in New York City, a statue of the historian Samuel Eliot Morison on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, and a statue of Robert Frost at Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts.
The sculpture was originally commissioned by planner and preservationist Ronald Lee Fleming, who displayed it for decades at his home in Cambridge. His recent decision to donate the piece to the library marks a significant cultural gift to the community.
Reflecting on the work's origins, Jencks recalled being introduced to Fuller by Fleming in 1985. Inspired by a theatrical portrayal of Fuller that Fleming had seen, he approached Jencks with an ambitious request: to complete a sculpture in just two months. Despite the tight timeline, Jencks immersed herself in Fuller's life and writings, completing the piece on schedule after an intense period of research and artistic focus.
The Concord Free Public Library Corporation, a nonprofit organization, oversees the William Munroe Special Collections and is dedicated to preserving and sharing historical records, manuscripts, and artwork. The addition of the Fuller statue aligns closely with its mission.
The donation has been met with enthusiasm and gratitude. According to Anke Voss, curator of the William Munroe Special Collections, Fuller was among the earliest and most influential advocates for women's rights in the United States and a central figure in Transcendentalism. Voss noted that the library is honored to celebrate Fuller's legacy with Jencks's striking work.
The statue is currently undergoing restoration at Skylight Studios and will be installed in the library's Garden Retreat upon completion. Funding for the restoration has been provided by Library Corporation's The Munroe Society, an affinity group committed to advancing and preserving the library's special collections.
News of the acquisition has already generated excitement among scholars of 19th-century literature. Megan Marshall, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Margaret Fuller: A New American Life, praised the sculpture for capturing Fuller's intellect, determination, and bold spirit. She also noted the significance of the statue's placement near the library, established while Ralph Waldo Emerson served on the town's Library Committee, calling it a fitting tribute and expressing excitement that the work will finally be accessible to the public.
The Concord Free Public Library has scheduled the unveiling for Saturday, May 23, at 2:00 p.m. The event will feature remarks by Jencks, Fleming, and Marshall, offering attendees an opportunity to celebrate Fuller's enduring legacy.