Really, You Shouldn’t Have
I walk past this boulder, located on the grounds of some State Offices near the Rhode Island capitol, about once a week. This week, I happened to notice it featured a plaque. Here's what the plaque says (click to enlarge):
Gift to the future? Where? Is it the boulder? But the boulder is pretty much just a bland frame for the plaque!
This appears to be nothing more than an egocentric tribute to the people involved, a way to memorialize themselves. Or am I missing something?
Comments
Maybe there's something INSIDE the rock. It's like a big, stone pinata! Or a geode. Or it's a marker for something buried under the rock....a time capsule? Nah. Probably just so they can point to it and say, look at what we donated. Aren't we great?
Posted by Anonypenguin on 05/04/12 at 10:56 AM
I agree with with our frosty visitor, Paul. I suggest you sneak out there in a couple of weeks (by the dark of the moon) and apply sludge hammer and shovel. We'll be awaiting your report.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 05/04/12 at 11:28 AM
I want all WU-vies to put up my bail money before I go digging!
Posted by Paul on 05/04/12 at 12:05 PM
I've got PayPal account so I'll collect the donations and hold them for you.
Please... nothing less than $100.
Please... nothing less than $100.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 05/04/12 at 12:09 PM
It actually may be the "green space" that was donated by the group. Just a thought.
Posted by Blissfully Lost on 05/04/12 at 12:10 PM
Blissfully--that's a good thought, except that I think that lawn has been there before 1991. Maybe they did re-landscape it. But if so, the plaque is needlessly vague! Don't such monuments usually say "THIS TREE/SPACE/ETC DONATED BY...."
Posted by Paul on 05/04/12 at 12:21 PM
Perhaps it is the same attitude a dog has when marking its territory. But since humans aren't allowed to hike a leg in public, this is the next best thing. (That ought to be a good image for you.)
Posted by KDP on 05/04/12 at 12:38 PM
Some women who preferred being remembered always on something rock hard 😜
Posted by BrokeDad on 05/04/12 at 03:11 PM
Having to work with Marketing People, (thank you, and yes I do accept donations) I'd guess that the park, either through a renovation or purchase to keep it out of the hands of developers is the actual object of the 'gift'. But in somebody's little mind it was obvious since the rock is in the park and a natural part of the park that it in of itself would plainly be referring to the park by association. Thus when the plaque was made, no reference to what the gift actually was got included. And now that it is clear how closely I work with marketing people, please give generously.
Posted by Baughbe on 05/04/12 at 03:52 PM
Yep, make sure you spell our names right, and be sure to include our titles.
It would be a disaster if this grand donation weren't documented properly!
What we donated and why? Pfft! There's not enough room on the plaque for that! It's enough for posterity to know who made this grand gift!
It would be a disaster if this grand donation weren't documented properly!
What we donated and why? Pfft! There's not enough room on the plaque for that! It's enough for posterity to know who made this grand gift!
Posted by Captain DaFt on 05/04/12 at 09:08 PM
According to the website of the General Federation of Women's Clubs (http://www.gfwc.org/gfwc/About_GFWC.asp?SnID=1276690349):
"Founded in 1890, GFWC’s roots can be traced back to 1868 when Jane Cunningham Croly, a professional journalist, attempted to attend a dinner at an all-male press club honoring British novelist Charles Dickens. Croly was denied admittance based upon her gender, and in response, formed a woman’s club—Sorosis. In celebration of Sorosis’ 21st anniversary in 1889, Jane Croly invited women's clubs throughout the United States to pursue the cause of federation by attending a convention in New York City. On April 24, 1890, 63 clubs officially formed the General Federation of Women's Club by ratifying the GFWC constitution."
That means the centennial was April 24, 1990. Now, go back and look at the plaque - they were a year late!
"Founded in 1890, GFWC’s roots can be traced back to 1868 when Jane Cunningham Croly, a professional journalist, attempted to attend a dinner at an all-male press club honoring British novelist Charles Dickens. Croly was denied admittance based upon her gender, and in response, formed a woman’s club—Sorosis. In celebration of Sorosis’ 21st anniversary in 1889, Jane Croly invited women's clubs throughout the United States to pursue the cause of federation by attending a convention in New York City. On April 24, 1890, 63 clubs officially formed the General Federation of Women's Club by ratifying the GFWC constitution."
That means the centennial was April 24, 1990. Now, go back and look at the plaque - they were a year late!
Posted by Robert on 05/06/12 at 05:12 PM
Well spotted, Robert!
Posted by Paul on 05/06/12 at 08:45 PM
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Category: Annoying Things | Frauds, Cons and Scams | Government | Statues, Monuments and Memorials | 1990s