January 19, 2011

GALVESTON HISTORICAL FOUNDATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dwayne Jones
Executive Director
409-765-3422

Stolen Winged-Lion Casting Returned to GHF

Bishop’s Palace Guardian Icon to be Restored and Reinstated in front of Historic Mansion

After more than two and a half years of absence, the winged lion that was stolen from its perch at the entrance to the 1893 Bishop’s Palace at 14th Street and Broadway will soon return home. Galveston Historical Foundation announced today that the 3-foot tall, 80- pound cast zinc statue, stolen in May of 2008, has been recovered. It will be restored and remounted on its granite and sandstone pillar opposite its twin, according to Dwayne Jones, GHF Executive Director.

The winged lion, one of a pair, before it was stolen in May of 2008. It was returned late last year. It will be repaired and securely refastened to its post at the entrance to the Bishop’s Palace, Galveston’s popular historic mansion.

“We were heartbroken when the statue was discovered missing,” said Jones, “but we found a lot of support from the community and around the state in trying to locate it. Still, after a year, and then two years, without success, I frankly had lost hope of ever seeing it again.”

The statue was found and purchased by an anonymous donor who notified GHF and made it available to foundation staff, according to Jones. GHF operates the Bishop’s Palace, which is owned by the Galveston/Houston Archdiocese. “It is the most popular historic attraction in Galveston,” said Jones. “People all over really have a lot of affection for it—and for the lions that seem to guard the entrance.”

“We are delighted to have the lion back,” said Jones, “but it will take some repairs to the column and the casting itself before we can put it back where it belongs. It will be a lot more securely fastened this time. We don’t want to lose it again.”

Plans for a celebration of the statue’s return are underway, and will be announced soon, said Jones.

Background:

The winged lion is an ancient mythological figure, depicted in pairs guarding the gates of Assyrian cities and palaces more than 20 centuries ago. It was later adopted as the symbol of St. Mark the Evangelist, patron saint of the Republic of Venice.

The winged lion is one of a variety of fanciful animals—including griffins and gargoyles—that Galveston’s most famous architect, Nicolas Clayton, included in the design of the home of Walter Gresham and his family. The building was completed in 1892, and remains the grandest of Galveston’s Broadway mansions.

Walter Gresham (1841-1920) was a lawyer, legislator and railroad executive who was also instrumental in the deepening of the ship channel in Galveston Bay. Together with his wife, Josephine, they had nine children. Mr. Gresham is buried in Lakeview Cemetery in Galveston.

The house became known as “Bishop’s Palace” after the Galveston/Houston Catholic Diocese purchased the property as the home and office of the Right Reverend Christopher Byrne (1867-1950). It served this purpose from 1923 until Bishop Byrne’s death.

The Archdiocese used the home to house Catholic students at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, and then as a historic attraction. In December of 2007, Galveston Historical Foundation assumed responsibility for maintaining and operating the Palace.

Architectural historians list the Bishop’s Palace as one of the most significant Victorian residences in America. It is a National Historic Landmark, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2008 GHF received a $375,000 “Save America’s Treasures” grant from the Department of the Interior for badly needed restoration work, but more funding is being sought to repair the intricately tiled roof. That job will cost approximately $1.2 million.