Wednesday, December 30, 2009

An Intriquing Story about the Manitoba Legislature's Bisons



On either side of the base of the steps are two life-size North American bison, symbolic of the herds that once roamed the prairies. They were modelled by Charles Gardet of Paris, creator of the Golden Boy. Cast at the Roman Bronze Works in New York City, each bison weighs 2,268 kilograms (2½ tons). An intriguing story surrounds the installation of these statues. It is said that in order to diminish the risk of scratching the building's exquisite marble floors with these massive sculptures, the entire main floor of the building was flooded with water, and then left to freeze solid. Both bison were then placed on enormous slabs of ice cut from the Assiniboine River, and safely slid into the building. Whether this tale is true may never be known. Such legends add to the storied nature of this historic building.

Please Click here for the Government of Manitoba source.
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