Plans underway for statue of poet Riley in Greenfield

GREENFIELD, Ind. (AP) – The hometown of James Whitcomb Riley could be getting a second statue of the famous 19th century Indiana poet.

Officials with the James Whitcomb Riley Boyhood Home and Museum are preparing to launch a fundraising effort for the statue. The (Greenfield) Daily Reporter reports museum officials estimate the statue will cost $40,000 to $45,000. They hope to unveil it as part of Indiana’s bicentennial celebration in 2016 and in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Riley’s death.

Riley was born in 1849 in Greenfield and lived in Indianapolis most of his life.

The first rendering of the statue’s design features a life-sized bronze Riley seated on a bench, where visitors will be invited to sit. Artist Bill Wolfe of Terre Haute has been recruited to design and create the sculpture.