“Harvest” sculpture dedicated as centerpiece of Northfield’s Sesquicentennial Legacy Plaza
Posted by Team Malt-O-Meal on January 22nd 2009 in News
Conceived as a signature work of public art for the City of Northfield, “Harvest” forms a contemporary link to Northfield’s past and pays homage to its continuing presence as a mill town on the Cannon River. The one and a half ton cast bronze sculpture was commissioned for the site from local sculptor, Raymond Jacobson.
As the centerpiece in the city’s Sesquicentennial Legacy Plaza, “Harvest” celebrates Northfield’s agricultural heritage on the occasion of its 2005 sesquicentennial. In 1855, John Wesley North founded Northfield and built a dam and lumber mill on the Cannon River. Over the years, subsequent owners built a new, greatly expanded mill and introduced steam power in 1879. The mill became known as the Ames Mill.
In 1927, John Campbell took over the Ames Mill and began production of Malt-O-Meal hot cereal for the Campbell Cereal Company. In 1953, the company changed its name to the Malt-O-Meal Company. Today, the Ames Mill continues to manufacture Malt-O-Meal Hot Wheat Cereal.
The Malt-O-Meal Company and the Campbell family heirs sponsored the casting of “Harvest”. The Northfield Area Foundation contributed the monolith, with additional funding provided by the 2005 Sesquicentennial Committee and generous individuals in the community. The City of Northfield and the Northfield Historical Society served as co-sponsors of the Sesquicentennial Legacy Project.
For more information about the history of Northfield, Minnesota, visit www.northfieldhistory.org.
About The Artist
Raymond Jacobson was born in Oak City, Utah in 1920. He received his B.F.A. and M.F.A. degrees from the University of Colorado in Boulder, and subsequently traveled widely for research and study. He has completed sculpture commissions for churches, universities and private residences throughout the United States. Jacobson taught at the University of Colorado, Boulder; Baylor University, Waco, Texas; Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana; and at Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota for 31 years.
Photo provided through the courtesy of Raymond Jacobson and the Northfield Historical Society.
