Sculpture -Muhlenberg Turtle, 1979 - 2006

File — Box: W-05, Folder: W:059

Identifier: W:059

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Series: This series includes materials relating to architectural plans, funding, construction, dedication of buildings/cornerstones.

Includes photos, postcards, newspaper clippings, calendars, brochures, student rules, blueprints, worship bulletins, fliers, and slides with script.

Dates

1979 - 2006

Creator

Muhlenberg College (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research, with only a few very limited restrictions; access by appointment.

Extent

From the Collection: 50 Linear Feet (The bulk of the printed material (previously the vertical files) is contained in flip-top document cases. Textiles, memorabilia, and other realia is stored in appropriate lidded boxes.)

Additional Description

Sculpted by Richard Bechel; known as the bog turtle; gifted to college by former President and Mrs. Messerli.

Article with photo in The Morning Call, May 11, 1991. "Messerli's 'gift' to Muhlenberg is 'symbolic.' "Messerli gifts to 'Berg" - "Retiring Muhlenberg College president Jonathan Messerli sits on a bronze turtle he had made for the college on the occasion of his leaving. It is an endangered bog turtle. Accepting for the college is board chairman Wayne Keck. Vi Messerli, who happens to be married to Jonathan Messerli, is at right. She is looking on."

Article with photo in 'Parkway Milepost - Fall-Winter 1999-2000 issue, page 7' -"Bog Turtles, The smallest and rarest freshwater turtles" by Tom Davis.