Two historical sculptures find a new home after sitting in storage for over a century

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – A few pieces of Savannah’s educational and architectural history found a new home at Savannah Technical College.

The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System said they found two small-scale sculptures created by Savannah sculptor John Walz sitting in the attic of the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System’s Central Office Building at 208 Bull Street. Officials said the sculptures had been stored there since 1901.

The sculptures are maquettes, or models, according to officials. They said Walz used them in developing the much larger figures that still overlook Oglethorpe Street from the building’s portico. They were moved from the building because of a major restoration.

After more than a century, SCCPSS has moved the sculptures with help from Specialty Moving Co. to Savannah Technical College. Students in the Historic Preservation Program will be tasked with repairing the statues, according to school officials.

Officials said the project will be a rare, real-world training opportunity to work on century-old local artifacts for their students. Once the restoration is complete, officials said the sculptures will be placed on public display in Massie’s Historic Preservation Gallery; allowing a piece of history that was lost for generations to be seen once again.

The statues depict two figures from Greek mythology, according to officials. Demeter, the Greek goddess of fertility and abundance, and Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom. Officials said Demeter can be seen holding a cornucopia of fruit, symbolizing abundance, while Athena is portrayed deep in thought, pen in hand as she studies a tablet.