Members of the City of Marietta’s Elizabeth Porter Historic Monument, Art, and Murals Committee have begun raising funds to feature public art in Marietta’s planned Elizabeth Porter Park. Funding has already been secured for a mural depicting the history of the site, committee members are selling bricks to secure funding for a statue.
Located near the intersection of the North Marietta Parkway and Allgood Road, the park is scheduled to be constructed in 2017 and open to the public in 2018. The future park site was most recently home to the Elizabeth Porter Recreation Center, also known as “the Canteen.” The building served as a community space for members of Marietta’s “Baptist Town” Community. Prior to use as a recreation center, the site was originally developed in the 1940s during a citizen led and funded initiative to create an African-American hospital for Cobb County residents. The hospital was closed following the opening of Kennestone Hospital which was integrated.
The committee was started in September 2015 “to capture the history of the Elizabeth Porter Hospital/Recreation Center” via the planning installation of artistic pieces within the park.
“The conversations with the committee have focused designs for mural and statue to tell these stories,” said Alvin Huff, Marietta Economic Development Project Manager.
While the final mural design is to be determined, plans call for it to depict the history of the site and surrounding neighborhood over time. The planned statue will show former recreation center manager and park namesake, Elizabeth Porter, standing with two children by her side. The city has plans to fund the installation of the mural, but committee members are raising funds for the statue.
Donations of all amounts are accepted. Recognition levels start at $50, $150, $250 (for corporate sponsorship), and $2,500. Donors at the $50 level will be honored with an engraved 4×8 brick to be installed near the statue. Donors at the $150 level will be honored with an engraved 8×8 brick to be installed near the statue. Business contributing at the $250 level will receive an engraved 8×8 brick as well as a personal print of the statue or section of the mural. Large donors contributing more than $2,500 will be recognized on a plaque near the statue and will receive a personal print of the statue or section of the mural.
How to donate online
To pay online via credit card or check, follow the instructions below.
- Go to www.cobbfoundation.org.
- On the right, click the “donate here” button.
- Type how much you would like to contribute, your contact information, and your credit card information. When asked for “Fund/Foundation,” type in “Elizabeth Porter Park”.
- If your donation meets a minimum level for recognition, we will follow up with you.
Note: If you are completing an online donation on behalf of someone else, type in your contact information. You will have the opportunity to acknowledge that 3rd party when we follow-up.
For additional information, contact the Marietta Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Department at 770-794-5601.
