Andover's other polar bear
An Andover Story
This family of four polar bears is a popular sight in downtown Andover. But they're not the only polar bears in town!
Memorial Hall Library bears
The sculpture of the polar bear family that sits in front of Memorial Hall Library was designed and created by artist and sculptor Jim Sardonis. It was commissioned by the library Board of Trustees and presented as a gift to the town on Saturday, June 14, 2008.
Artist Jim Sardonis wrote about the piece, \
"This piece was commissioned by the trustees of Memorial Hall Library in Andover, MA to serve as a focal point for community readings on the environment and for children to climb outside the library. Carved from Bethel, Vermont, white granite, the mother polar bear is surrounded by her three cubs. The cubs are situated to provide steps onto the mother’s back. The title, 'Vigilance,' refers both to the mother’s watchfulness and alertness to danger for her cubs, as well as for the need for human vigilance with regard to the environmental problems we have created."
Naming the bears
Library trustees conducted a public poll to choose names for the bears. The mother is named Aurora and the cubs are named Snowflake, Grace and Klondike.
You can read more about the bears on the Memorial Hall Library website.
But did you know about Andover's other polar bear? In 2018, the History Center received this email inquiry:
“As my grandson and I drive past Iceland Road in Andover on our way to and from Lowell and Salem, we noticed a two-foot tall statue of a polar bear facing the road. We were curious and got in the habit of waving hi every time we drove by. We named him "Icy."
We've been investigating through Google, our Facebook friends, the Memorial Hall Library, as well as the artist who sculpted the polar bear family on their lawn, and the Clerk’s office at Andover Town Offices.
The Clerk suggested we ask the historical society to see if you knew where Icy came from.
My grandson is 6 years old and a lover of libraries. He began reading at age 1 and I try to keep him engaged. This is a mystery to treasure! What can you tell us about "Icy?"
Great question! We love quirky Andover stories and research rabbit holes!
Curiosity was piqued, and we had to know! We did some digging, asked around, and sent letters to neighbors asking if anyone knew the story of Icy the polar bear.
About ten months later, we received this news from one of the neighbors we wrote to
"After meeting my new neighbor, she told me that it is nothing more than a garden statue that her mother had given her."
So there you have it. A simple story of a unique neighborhood feature. Next time you drive down Lowell Street, wave "hi" to Icy for us!