Rural Tourism Initiative
to Commemorate the Osage Trail of 1871 on Historic Route 66
|
Osage
Legacy Monument Project Sculpture Mock-Up
|
CUBA, MO The largest monument recognizing Osage people
will stand 35 feet tall, roughly as tall as a telephone poll, 20
feet wide and 80 feet long. It is currently under construction at
the intersection of I-44 and highway 19 in Cuba, MO, or good old
Route 66. The famous cross-country super highway makes its way through
Missouri on the same path Osage people used long ago. Osage Nation
Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear is excited about supporting
the one-of-a-kind project. Hes heading to Cuba Oct. 28 to
Oct. 30 as a special guest to support the initiative.
"This visit will allow the Chief an opportunity to meet
with several government officials," said Executive Advisor
Johnny Williams who has been in contact with the monument developers.
Construction of the monument is in full swing and planners say
the finished product will be ready next summer. Funds are still
being raised to complete the monument. Organizer, Dennis Rodemeier
said the majority of the $500,000 has already been raised and the
project is just $75,000 shy from being fully funded. He added that
he anticipates raising the difference before the Chief arrives due
to the overwhelming support the project has received from several
generous donors.
The Osage Nation Executive Office recently heard of the project
when developers contacted the Nation to verify historical accuracy
of presentation of the sculpture itself.
The Nation was contacted by Dennis Rodemeier who is the President
of the Cuba Development Group and Dr. Sean Siebert who is the grant
writer for the project. Together they have developed several successful
rural economic development projects for the City of Cuba and the
State of Missouri.
Monument sculptor and visionary, Glen Tutterrow, is a local
artist in Cuba. He is working on the massive all steel sculpture
with his son Curtis Tutterrow. Tutterrow envisioned the monument
as a symbol of the importance of the Trail of the Osage and how
it continues to be a pathway for progress.
This corridor that runs right through Cuba was used for
[Osage] travel and trade. The Osage Trail is one of the most important
trails to the south that goes across our state. It has always fascinated
me because of its historical significance, he said. We
are here because of the trail that the Osage blazed for us way back
when.
Principal Chief Standing Bear will be accompanied by his Executive
Advisor Johnny Williams on this tour of Cuba and learn more about
the project from the Osage Trail Legacy Project Leadership Team.
The Chief will be afforded the opportunity to meet with community
members and Missouri elected officials for a formal meal. The entire
projects outreach efforts and fundraising initiatives will
conclude with a speech by Chief Standing Bear on the last night
of the visit.
Williams added, "There will be two U.S. Congressmen present
along with two U.S. Senators. There will also be the Missouri Governor
and several state officials present. They will have discussions
on potential economic opportunities for the Nation. Establishing
a working relationship with these officials will be extremely beneficial
to the Osage Nation."
Osage Nation Communications will provide more information as
the story develops and a video of the Executive visit to Cuba, MO,
on the Osage Nation website at https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov.
Project Web Site: http://www.osagetraillegacy.com/
Project Time Lapse Video (see the actual sculpture being built):
https://youtu.be/yMedXocjirk
|