The Bronze Stag of Binghamton (New Photos!)

("Resurrected" to highlight new photos -- close-ups of the statue.)

During a conversation we had on a comment thread somewhere, Gatherer Sarah A. mentioned that not only did she once live in this part of the world, she remembered a big brick building where she once studied French.  She also mentioned memory of a large bronze statue of a stag, wondering whether it was still around -- we all know how easily people discard old treasure for the sake of modernity.  Was the stag a victim of urban renewal?

The answer is: yes and no.

The large brick building is none other than Roberson Museum and Science Center, located on Front Street in Binghamton, NY.  I've written about Roberson previously, as this is where the "Home for the Holidays" Christmas tree displays appear each December, and I sneak in with camera and hedgehogs to see what's new.  Today, I had the chance to get some sunny exterior shots, sans the grey snirt of city winters that ruined so many photos I'd attempted in that season.

Upon careful observation, it is evident that the glorious Roberson Mansion has been well maintained in proper historical splendor, even as modernity crept up alongside it.  The hideous vertical-slatted extension is the museum itself, attached via strange hallways and connections that reminded me of the way walkways attach to airplanes.  Inside, the museum redeems itself by providing space for marvelous exhibits both scientific and artistic.

Surrounding the front lawn -- or the space that would have been a front lawn -- is what the Broome County Historian referred to as the "sculpture pit."  The area is walled off with concrete, topped with a tacky metal railing, and the only access to it is through the museum, probably only when the museum has an outdoor sculpture display.  I didn't attempt access today because next month is the Fiddlin's Fun Festival here at Roberson, at which time I won't have an impatient son glaring at me from the car.

Down in the sculpture pit, cowering against the wall of the museum and gazing longingly at itself -- perhaps for companionship? -- was Sarah's stag:

As promised in the original posting, I did return to Roberson for some better images of the stag.

The entryway was on the far side of the courtyard and provided this view:

It seemed there was nothing useful nearby to give a sense of scale, so I stepped into the photo.  I'm taller, so the stag is not quite life-size...

but the details were incredible... he turns out to be anatomically correct.