Kent in Portage County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Kent Bicentennial 1805-2005

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 23, 2025

1. Kent Bicentennial 1805-2005 Marker

Inscription.

Kent Bicentennial 1805-2005. . , Here, in the artist's studio, is the original clay sculpture used to create the bronze "Kent Bicentennial Sculpture" through the lost wax casting method. , The story of Kent is very much like the story of America, complex to be sure, but a story of people from diverse backgrounds using their talents, passions and labor to shape a better life for themselves and their community. It is the intent of the "Kent Bicentennial Sculpture" to compose elements and individuals from that story into a visual narrative. Physically, the structure is composed of a 6' x 4' curved cast bronze relief sculpture secured to sandstones salvaged from the deconstructed Plum Creek Dam. The curved surface of the sculpture refers to the architecture of the nearby Kent Dam and the importance of the dam to the economic history of the area. The images in the relief trace the area's transition from prehistory through the early settler's encounters with the original inhabitants, to farming, milling, the canal era, the Underground Railroad, Abolitionist Movement, railroading industry and into Kent's current status as a center for research, education and the arts. , Image Identification for Sculpture:

1. Across the top of the relief - References to the Hopewell culture, the importance of the Cuyahoga River and Standing Rock to Native Americans, Captain Brady's leap, milling, Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal traffic, railroad industry and the Kent State University's Liquid Crystal Institute, education and research. , 2. Native American Family , 3. Early 19th Century Settler , 4. Marvin Kent - Brought the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad and yards to Kent. (Erie Depot located to your left) Kent was settled in 1805 by the Haymaker family and originally known as Franklin Mills before being renamed Kent in 1867 in honor of Marvin Kent. , 5. Early Suffragette , 6. Former Slaves Seeking Freedom , 7. 19th Century School Girl , 8. John Brown the Abolitionist - Tannery Park is the former site of Brown and Zenas Kent's tannery built in 1836. , 9. Governor Martin Davey - Son of John Davey, the tree surgeon and Depression era Ohio governor who worked to bring relief to the poor by repealing the tax on food. , 10. John Davey - Early environmental steward, author of "The Tree Doctor" and founder of Davey Tree Expert Company (1880). As the sexton of Standing Rock Cemetery he transformed the cemetery landscape. , 11. Railroad Worker , 12. Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, William Schroeder, Sandra Scheuer - May 4th, 1970 Kent State University student fatalities. , 13. Contemporary Music Student

, [Inset:] , The "Kent Bicentennial Sculpture" was commissioned to Kent artist George Danilies in 2005 and was dedicated in 2011. George lives and works in Kent; he has been awarded numerous public and private commissions including the "Veterans' Monument" located at the Kent Central Gateway terminal Center.

Here, in the artist's studio, is the original clay sculpture used to create the bronze "Kent Bicentennial Sculpture" through the lost wax casting method.

The story of Kent is very much like the story of America, complex to be sure, but a story of people from diverse backgrounds using their talents, passions and labor to shape a better life for themselves and their community. It is the intent of the "Kent Bicentennial Sculpture" to compose elements and individuals from that story into a visual narrative. Physically, the structure is composed of a 6' x 4' curved cast bronze relief sculpture secured to sandstones salvaged from the deconstructed Plum Creek Dam. The curved surface of the sculpture refers to the architecture of the nearby Kent Dam and the importance of the dam to the economic history of the area. The images in the relief trace the area's transition from prehistory through the early settler's encounters with the original inhabitants, to farming, milling, the canal era, the Underground Railroad, Abolitionist Movement, railroading industry and into Kent's current status as a center for research, education and

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Image Identification for Sculpture:

1. Across the top of the relief - References to the Hopewell culture, the importance of the Cuyahoga River and Standing Rock to Native Americans, Captain Brady's leap, milling, Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal traffic, railroad industry and the Kent State University's Liquid Crystal Institute, education and research.
2. Native American Family
3. Early 19th Century Settler
4. Marvin Kent - Brought the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad and yards to Kent. (Erie Depot located to your left) Kent was settled in 1805 by the Haymaker family and originally known as Franklin Mills before being renamed Kent in 1867 in honor of Marvin Kent.
5. Early Suffragette
6. Former Slaves Seeking Freedom
7. 19th Century School Girl
8. John Brown the Abolitionist - Tannery Park is the former site of Brown and Zenas Kent's tannery built in 1836.
9. Governor Martin Davey - Son of John Davey, the tree surgeon and Depression era Ohio governor who worked to bring relief to the poor by repealing the tax on food.
10. John Davey - Early environmental steward, author of "The Tree Doctor" and founder of Davey
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 23, 2025

2. Kent Bicentennial 1805-2005
The memorial is located next to the Kent Bicentennial sculpture on the banks of the Cuyahoga River.
Tree Expert Company (1880). As the sexton of Standing Rock Cemetery he transformed the cemetery landscape.
11. Railroad Worker
12. Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, William Schroeder, Sandra Scheuer - May 4th, 1970 Kent State University student fatalities.
13. Contemporary Music Student

[Inset:]
The "Kent Bicentennial Sculpture" was commissioned to Kent artist George Danilies in 2005 and was dedicated in 2011. George lives and works in Kent; he has been awarded numerous public and private commissions including the "Veterans' Monument" located at the Kent Central Gateway terminal Center.

Erected by Kent Parks & Recreation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1805.

Location. 41° 9.201′ N, 81° 21.536′ W. Marker is in Kent, Ohio, in Portage County. It is at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Burbick Way, on the right when traveling south on Franklin Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 123 Franklin Ave, Kent OH 44240, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Kent Bicentennial Relief image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 23, 2025

3. Kent Bicentennial Relief

A close-up of the relief mentioned in the historical marker. The labels in the marker correspond to the figures on this sign.

this marker is in Greater Cleveland

and in the Western Reserve.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Kent and the Underground Railroad (a few steps from this marker); James A. Garfield (approx. 0.2 miles away); By Any Means Necessary (approx. 0.7 miles away); Freedom of Speech and Assembly (approx. 0.7 miles away); Law and Order and Dissent (approx. ¾ mile away); Site of the Shooting of Kent State Students May 4, 1970 (approx. 0.8 miles away); The May 4, 1970, Kent State Shootings Site (approx. 0.8 miles away); Further Tragedy Averted (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kent.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 23, 2025

4. Kent Depot

As mentioned in the historical marker, the historic train depot and rail yard are located to the left of the relief and marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 112 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 9, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.