New sculpture to be dedicated Saturday.

LUDINGTON — The Ludington/Mason County Cultural Economic Development Task Force will host the dedication of a new bronze sculpture commemorating Ludington’s historic sailing past on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at 1 p.m.  The sculpture will be installed along the lakefront walkway which has been dedicated as the Maritime Heritage Park, just south of the Loomis Street Boat Ramp.

“The Abbie,” a Great Lakes schooner was the last vessel of its kind built in Ludington in 1886.  Constructed for Rasmus Rasmussen, this 88 foot long double-masted schooner made many excursions between Ludington and Chicago. During an early November storm in 1905, the ship sunk off Portage Lake Pier near Onekama, yet fortunately no sailors were lost. 

The bas-relief sculpture is sponsored by Jack and Shirley Rasmussen.  The sculpture depicts this schooner departing the dock sailing toward the harbor channel amidst a representation of harbor developments and dock facilities.

It has been created by artist Tyson Snow who resides in Salem, Utah.  “I am honored to have taken part in this project,” said Snow.  “It is a wonderful thing to have this monument join the other great works of art that help tell a story about Ludington.”

Along with the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum now under reconstruction in the city’s historic Coast Guard Station, “The Abbie” joins the recently dedicated “Sport Fishing” sculpture as earlier developments of the Ludington Maritime Heritage Park.

Dr. Rick Plummer, executive director of the Mason County Historical Society will be the principal speaker during the dedication program.