Bench & Curb

Elaine Massacre Memorial

It’s always an exciting time when the concrete truck shows up. People no longer move about the job site working on the plethora of disparate tasks. Everyone gets into position and performs an essential job. It is a joy to watch how the handicraft of each individual makes for exquisite teamwork.

Today we completed casting the western bench & curb that, together with the north-west wall, form one of the triangular planter beds. Of course, everything is curving and there are no two sides of any form at the same height – a detail that gives a more sculpted look to the cast concrete elements. We spent a few days working out these details in the field: arranging the form work in various ways, standing back to sight down the edges, making adjustments, and adding rebar to critical areas to reduce the potential for cracking.

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For more information about the Elaine Massacre Memorial, visit:
https://www.elainemassacrememorial.org/

For more information about the Elaine Massacre, visit:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/death-hundreds-elaine-massacre-led-supreme-court-take-major-step-toward-equal-justice-african-americans-180969863/

https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/elaine-massacre-of-1919-1102/