Iowa National Statuary Hall
In 1864, the United States Congress created the National Statuary Hall Collection and each state is represented by two statues of notable citizens.
Dr. Norman E. Borlaug
Installed: March 25, 2014
Artist: Benjamin Victor
A native of Cresco, Iowa, Norman E. Borlaug (1914-2009) is credited with saving a billion lives through his development of new wheat varieties. His achievements earned him recognition as Father of the ‘Green Revolution’ and the distinction of receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Congressional Gold Medal, America’s highest civilian honor. It is said Norman Borlaug "saved more lives than any other person who has ever lived."
He was the first notable American hero to have his statue installed in the hall based on achievements in farming and agricultural sciences. With the
Borlaug statue artist Benjamin Victor became the only living artist at the time with two sculptures in the hall. His other statue is of Sarah Winnemucca for the state of Nevada.
Samuel Jordan Kirkwood
Installed: 1913
Artist: Vinnie Ream
Samuel J. Kirkwood (1813-1894) became famous as the governor of Iowa during the Civil War. Kirkwood moved to Iowa in 1855 and served as a member of the Iowa Senate until 1859. He was governor of Iowa from 1860 to 1864 and from 1876 to 1877. Between terms as Governor, he was appointed to complete the unexpired Senate term of James Harlan. He was also appointed Secretary of the Interior, and resigned in 1882.
Artist Vinnie Ream was the first woman and youngest artist to receive a U.S. Government commission for her statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Capitol rotunda.