History of Hebe Statue

Hebe, the Greek goddess of youth and happiness, was placed in her fountain on the Crawford County Courthouse lawn in 1908 by the Women's Village Improvement Society. Repairs were later made to both Hebe and the fountain in memory of Robert Benham, who served as county assessor from 1961-1972. The original Hebe was constructed of pot metal and painted gold, and numerous repairs to Hebe and the fountain were made over the first century she stood on the courthouse lawn. Eventually Hebe was beyond repair and the fountain was crumbling and inoperable. The Women's League of Van Buren, an affiliate of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, led a campaign to raise funds to restore Hebe and the fountain. A bronze casting of Hebe was provided by the Women's League, while community donations funded the rebuilding of the fountain and new landscaping. The original pot metal Hebe was to eventually reside in the Crawford County Museum, and the steel cap surrounding the top of the fountain was repaired and remains in use. The restoration project was dedicated on October 12, 2003.

Van Buren, Arkansas · United States