Blair Historic Preservation Alliance secures funding for restoration of the Tower of the Four Winds
(January 7, 2019 – Blair, Nebraska) A late Christmas present arrived last week for the community of Blair after an anonymous foundation contributed $187,450 to restore the Tower of the Four Winds at Black Elk-Neihardt Park. The donation came through a fundraising effort led by the Blair Historic Preservation Alliance (BHPA).
The donation will cover the complete cost of restoration by Omaha-based Jensen Conservation Services. Pending approval of a contract by the Blair City Council, the project will begin in the spring of 2019 and be complete within a few months.
The Tower of the Four Winds is the focal point of the 80-acre park on the northwest side of Blair. It was designed by Dana College professor F.W. Thomsen and inspired by the vision of Black Elk as told to John G. Neihardt. Built in 1987, the tower’s unique mosaic consists of thousands of individual tiles. Time and weather have taken a toll on the tiles and they have gradually been falling off the tower. Without this restoration, the tower’s artwork would have continued to deteriorate until the mosaic no longer existed.
Jensen Conservation Services will restore the artwork to its original beauty so the tower will continue to be both a treasure and landmark for visitors and residents alike.
BHPA secures funding for restoration of the Tower of the Four Winds
(January 7, 2019 – Blair, Nebraska) A late Christmas present arrived last week for the community of Blair after an anonymous foundation contributed $187,450 to restore the Tower of the Four Winds at Black Elk-Neihardt Park. The donation came through a fundraising effort led by the Blair Historic Preservation Alliance (BHPA).
The donation will cover the complete cost of restoration by Omaha-based Jensen Conservation Services. Pending approval of a contract by the Blair City Council, the project will begin in the spring of 2019 and be complete within a few months.
The Tower of the Four Winds is the focal point of the 80-acre park on the northwest side of Blair. It was designed by Dana College professor F.W. Thomsen and inspired by the vision of Black Elk as told to John G. Neihardt. Built in 1987, the tower’s unique mosaic consists of thousands of individual tiles. Time and weather have taken a toll on the tiles and they have gradually been falling off the tower. Without this restoration, the tower’s artwork would have continued to deteriorate until the mosaic no longer existed.
Jensen Conservation Services will restore the artwork to its original beauty so the tower will continue to be both a treasure and landmark for visitors and residents alike.
Blair Historic Preservation Alliance | P.O. Box 94 | Blair, Nebraska 68008 | contact@blairhistory.com