Photo by Eric Ayres A new bronze statue of Earl W. Oglebay was unveiled on Saturday at Oglebay Park, celebrating 100 years since Oglebay gifted the community his beloved Waddington Farm upon his passing.

WHEELING — One century ago, Earl W. Oglebay left the city of Wheeling and the Ohio Valley a gift that has since helped enrich and elevate the quality of life for generations of families in the community and beyond.

On Saturday, officials gathered to celebrate Col. Oglebay’s legacy with the unveiling of a new bronze statue that now stands among the flower gardens and historic buildings that were once part of his country estate.

Oglebay died on June 22, 1926 — 100 years ago.

“Today, we celebrate the legacy of Earl W. Oglebay and his extraordinary gift to the people of Wheeling and the vicinity — and the incredible generosity of our community of donors,” said Eriks Janelsins, president and CEO of the Oglebay Foundation. “Through his will, he gave his beloved Waddington Farm estate to the people of Wheeling and vicinity for public recreation.”

Janelsins noted that at the time of Oglebay’s death, the Wheeling News-Register’s owner and editor H.C. Ogden described the farm as “one of the finest country places in the nation,” calling its donation to the community “a magnificent gift to the people.”

The editorial headline the next day read, in bold type, “Our Great Opportunity,” Janelsins noted.

Thereafter, the community was charged with transforming the farm into an important social center, and it did just that.

“Oglebay is a cherished gift that each generation has worked to steward, improve and pass on to the next,” Janelsins said.

Wheeling Mayor Denny Magruder noted that generations of families have created memories at Oglebay Park, which for decades has remained one of the city’s most remarkable assets.

“One hundred years ago, Col. Oglebay made a decision that would shape the future of our city for generations,” Magruder said. “By donating his beloved estate to the city of Wheeling, he provided a gift that was far greater than land, buildings or beautiful scenery. He gave us a vision.”

That vision saw the property as a place that would forever belong to the people of the community and serve as a source of enjoyment, recreation, education and inspiration, Magruder noted.

“Over the past century, Oglebay Park has been woven into the fabric of life in Wheeling,” the mayor said.

Holly McCluskey, curator of museums for Oglebay Institute, said it was fitting that the dedication of the new statue took place on West Virginia Day, as Oglebay was a proud American who loved the state. Although he was born in Bridgeport, Ohio, Oglebay moved to Wheeling at age 8. He later made his fortune in Cleveland in the iron and steel industries but returned every year to Waddington Farm from late June until around Thanksgiving before heading back to Cleveland for the holidays, McCluskey said.

“He was a patriot and a humanitarian,” she said. “He paid $8,000 for the mansion and the original 25 acres of land, then built it up to 750 acres. For 26 years, it was the model farm.”

Oglebay was friends with four presidents, and some visited and even stayed at the property, McCluskey added.

The new statue was created by sculptor Alan Cottrill of Zanesville, who said he researched Oglebay’s life and examined old photographs of him for inspiration.

“I asked for all of the photos they had,” said Cottrill, who has family in Wheeling and was commissioned to create three previous statues that stand in Oglebay Park today. “When they sent me that photo of him leaning on his cane, with the fedora on his head and one hand behind his back, I thought there was so much in that pose, and it seemed to capture so much of the personality and energy that I read about. I just loved this pose.”

Oglebay Foundation board members Joe Eddy and Chris Freeman helped chair the project to bring the new statue to the park. They and fellow board member Greg McDermott, chairman of the Wheeling Park Commission, did the honors of unveiling the statue during Saturday’s ceremony.

“We dedicate this statue in honor of the most significant donor in the history of our parks and perhaps in the history of our city,” McDermott said. “As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Mr. Oglebay’s extraordinary gift to our community, we unveil this statue in recognition of the vision and generosity he demonstrated in 1926 when he donated Waddington Farm to the people of Wheeling for public recreation. One hundred years later, the impact of that gift continues to enrich countless lives and reminds us of the enduring power of generosity.”

Amy Dobkin, vice president of the Oglebay Foundation, reflected on the impact Oglebay Park has had on so many over the years, particularly children growing up and experiencing the park through a child’s eyes.

“This statue is more than a monument. It’s a reminder of how this extraordinary place came to be and of one individual who imagined a lasting gift for the people of the Ohio Valley,” Dobkin said. “Oglebay Park is clearly the most significant gift in the history of Wheeling and probably one of the most significant in the history of the state.

“But the story is that it didn’t end with this gift. The people of Wheeling accepted this with generosity and gratitude and took his gift as a challenge to make it better.”

Families, businesses and groups have worked to do just that over the past century, Dobkin said, and the challenge remains to continue improving the park and creating opportunities for future generations to enjoy it.

Janelsins thanked members of the Earl W. Oglebay Legacy Society, the Wheeling Park Commission and staff, and the many donors and supporters who helped raise funding to bring the statue to fruition.

“I believe this statue represents both his spirit and the inspiration he gave this community to create one of the finest park systems anywhere in the world … for everyone, forever,” Janelsins said, noting that the occasion honors Oglebay for his “lifetime of accomplishments, good deeds, community leadership, generosity and visionary philanthropy.”

Celebrants enjoyed a reception that featured one of Oglebay’s favorites — mint juleps.

Officials noted that work continues to maintain Oglebay’s vision and ensure the park remains a showpiece for generations to come, and the new statue will be standing guard to see it through.

“It will be around for hundreds of years,” the sculptor said of the statue. “That’s the great thing about bronze statues. They just don’t fade away.”