Page:Final Report of the Northwest Territory Celebration Commission.pdf/50

 hundreds of special window displays, all of which earned comment and special attention for the merchants as well as for the celebration.

Roughly speaking, we would estimate that a competition of this sort would be worth while, compared to other features, if it were set up on the basis as high as one dollar per 1,000 population in the area concerned. It can be well done for less than half this amount,

In building the program for Northwest Territory Celebration the desire was to not only serve the present generation, but to create something of value to those yet to come; to do permanent works as well as those ephemeral activities necessary and common to such programs.

It appeared that the point where the United States made its first footprints as it started west to span a continent and to become eminent among all nations, should be marked in some lasting way.

This particular spot happens to be in the commons, now known as Muskingum Park, in Marietta, Ohio. The first American civil government west of the thirteen original States was there inaugurated on July 15th, 1788. There the principles of the Ordinance of 1787 were first given effect, thereby determining the pattern for the present United States of America. Both the chairman and the director of the commission being Marietta citizens, the decision as to a memorial at this point was left to the members of the commission from other States. Their vote was unanimous, and $20,000 was budgeted for the purposes of sculptors' fees and expense which the commission would have to pay. It was known that the land, which is now a beautiful park on the bank of the Muskingum River, is in not only the "commons" dedicated forever for public use by the Ohio Company of Associates, but also in Section 29, the "Ministerial tract". It could be had without cost by securing legislation by the Ohio State Assembly, and the Marietta City Council. The Ohio Legislature passed a bill authorizing a governor's deed to necessary ministerial tract lands—and Marietta City authorities waived all rights to these lands.

Marietta being a large stone working center, there were many practical stone men available to the Work's Progress Administration, which agreed to do the stone quarrying, cutting, and setting.

, State Architect for Ohio, agreed to donate architectural services which would normally amount to several thousand dollars.

Marietta purchased easements where necessary on private property. The Ohio State Highway Department was most helpful in loaning equipment, as were several private companies and people.

In negotiating for a sculptor, the best known artists in America were consulted and considered, resulting in the choice of.

Mr. Borglum, understanding the national purpose of the memorial and the effort being made to accomplish a sublime result with meagre funds—at least as such projects usually go—agreed to model the group and render supervisor's service for a fee which was within the means of the commission.