© 2026 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Event To Celebrate Spirit Of Detroit Sculpture's Anniversary

Detroit skyline
haljackey
/
flickr creative commons

The Detroit-Wayne Joint Building Authority is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the dedication of the Spirit of Detroit sculpture.

A free program is scheduled Sept. 21 (Friday) at the sculpture outside the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in downtown Detroit.

The sculpture by artist Marshall Fredericks was commissioned in 1955. The bronze cast was made in Norway and shipped to Detroit where the 26-foot-tall (7.9-meter-tall) sculpture was dedicated in September 1958.

About $170,000 in restoration improvements were made to the sculpture in time for its 50th anniversary.

Related Content
WKAR has closed the gap left by the loss of federal funding. Because of you, trusted journalism, inspiring stories, and classical music remain freely available to everyone in mid-Michigan.
Now the work continues — your monthly gift helps maintain this success and keeps public media free for all.