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History of Wynken, Blynken and Nod
Over 100 years
ago, Wynken, Blynken and Nod came alive in the mind, heart and
imagination of Eugene Field and on March 9, 1889,
he penned the immortal words of what is also known as "The
Dutch Lullaby." Today, it is still considered the most perfect
childhood poem.
Field Considered to be the first newspaper columnist in the US, lived only
45 years from 1850 to 1895. During that time, he wrote over 500 poems and short
stories, many about children. It was his belief that childhood was the most
precious time of life and therefore, should be enjoyed, day dreaming, pretending
and using one's imagination before the realities and responsibilities of adult
life were attained. Much of his poetic writing was done in Denver and Chicago
where he was on staff of those cities' newspapers.
Creation of the Original Statue
Mabel Landrum Torrey was born in a sod house in Colorado. Her
father became a judge in Sterling Colorado where she taught school
before she left to attend the Art Institute of Chicago, majoring
in the art of sculpture. When she married Fred, also a sculptor,
they opened a studio across from the University of Chicago.
Research did not reveal the exact date of the original Wynken,
Blynken and Nod statue. However, it received enthusiastic praise
from art critics when
it was exhibited at the Chicago Art Institute. Mrs. Torrey presented Denver
Mayor Robert W. Speer with her original piece of work and he was so delighted
with it, he commissioned Mrs. Torrey to sculpt one in marble to be placed in
the Children's Fountain, Washington Park, Denver. That one and the one on "The
Green" in Wellsboro are the only known such statues.
Bringing Wynken, Blynken and Nod to Wellsboro
Elizabeth Cameron
Bailey, Daughter of Tioga County Judge David Cameron, became the
bride of Fred Bailey on June 16, 1892. Both
were Wellsboro natives. They spent their married life in Denver
where Mr. Bailey became a State Senator, a major stockholder in
the Crippled Creek gold Mine and the Brown Palace Hotel. He was
one of the founders of the United States National Bank.
Mr. Bailey honored his wife following her death with the bronze statue of Wynken
Blynken and Nod to be placed in her memory on The Green where it has remained
since it's dedication on Friday, September 23, 1938. Among the reported 2000
who attended the ceremony were Mrs. Torrey, her daughter and Peter Cameron,
brother of Mrs. Bailey.
Additions by the Community
On May 22, 1950, the Wellsboro Lions Club voted to finance the
erection of a wrought iron fence for the protection and added beauty
of the statue and fountain.
In 1976, the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital erected a plaque containing
the poem, a very much appreciated addition.
On May 15, 1982, the statue sailed away to temporary quarters while the Carson
Construction Company made repairs to the fountain foundation.
In April 1989, a committee was formed for the restoration and preservation
of the statue and fountain and to raise the necessary funds. The work was done
by Arthur Voorhees, owner of the Gettysburg Restoration and Preservation Association,
Inc and his assistant, Jeff Miller of Morris, PA.
The installation of lighting in the fountain was done by Kaminski and Son of
Wellsboro.
Excerpt from Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
By Betty Coolidge Frazier
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The fountain that graces the Green in Wellsboro, PA is beautiful
in the Summertime.
Photo by John Price
Wynken, Blynken and Nod
A Dutch Lullaby
By Eugene Field
Wynken, Blynken and Nod one night
Sailed off in a wooden shoe
Sailed on a river of crystal light,
Into a sea of dew,
" Where are you going, and what do you wish?"
The old moon ask the three.
" We have come to fish for the herring fish
That live in this beautiful sea;
Nets of silver and gold have we,"
Said Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.
The old moon laughed and sang a song,
As they rocked in the wooden shoe,
And the Wind that sped them all night long,
Ruffled the waves of dew.
The little stars were the herring fish
That lived in that beautiful sea-
"
Now cast your nets wherever you wish-
Never afeared are we;"
So called the stars to the fishermen three;
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.
All night long their nets they threw
To the stars in the twinkling foam-
Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe,
Bringing the fishermen home;
"
T was all so pretty a sail it seemed
As if it could not be.
And some folks thought 't was a dream they'd dreamed
Of sailing that beautiful sea-
But I shall name you the fishermen three:
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.
Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes,
And Nod is a little head.
And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies
Is a wee one's trundle-bed.
So shut your eyes while mother sings
Of wonderful sights that be,
And you shall see the beautiful things
As you rock in the misty sea.
Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three;
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.
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