Tupelo’s second Elvis statue was
unveiled Thursday night in Fairpark. The bronze sculpture replicates a 1956
photo by Roger Marshutz of Elvis performing at a homecoming concert in the
Fairpark area.
William N. Beckwith, native of Mississippi was the sculptor.
Here are some facts about the statue.
• The statue is a little larger than life size. It’s 7 feet tall and is on a 4-foot-tall base.
• The base is made out of aggregate concrete, which was the popular style used in the 1950s. It has eight sides because Elvis’ favorite number was eight.
• Elvis faces the birthplace. His hand is stretched out so visitors can reach up and touch his fingertips like they would when he was performing.
• The placement of the statue is geared toward visitor photo opps. Tupelo City Hall is in the background from one angle and Tupelo Hardware is in the background from the other angle. The signage was changed on City Hall to add “Tupelo” as part of the project.
• Bill Beckwith, a Mississippi native, made the sculpture in his Taylor studio.
• The interactive display features Elvis’ set list during the 1956 and 1957 concert in Tupelo.
• Visitors can use their smartphones to access video from the concert via an interactive display. They display also links to Tupelo’s promotional video, “Tupelove.” They also are invited to download GPS coordinates for the Elvis driving tour.
• Philips Day-Brite donated the lights for the statue.
William N. Beckwith, native of Mississippi was the sculptor.
Here are some facts about the statue.
• The statue is a little larger than life size. It’s 7 feet tall and is on a 4-foot-tall base.
• The base is made out of aggregate concrete, which was the popular style used in the 1950s. It has eight sides because Elvis’ favorite number was eight.
• Elvis faces the birthplace. His hand is stretched out so visitors can reach up and touch his fingertips like they would when he was performing.
• The placement of the statue is geared toward visitor photo opps. Tupelo City Hall is in the background from one angle and Tupelo Hardware is in the background from the other angle. The signage was changed on City Hall to add “Tupelo” as part of the project.
• Bill Beckwith, a Mississippi native, made the sculpture in his Taylor studio.
• The interactive display features Elvis’ set list during the 1956 and 1957 concert in Tupelo.
• Visitors can use their smartphones to access video from the concert via an interactive display. They display also links to Tupelo’s promotional video, “Tupelove.” They also are invited to download GPS coordinates for the Elvis driving tour.
• Philips Day-Brite donated the lights for the statue.
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| Photo by Joyce Burns |
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| Photo by Joyce Burns |
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| Photo by Thomas Wells |
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| Photo by Thomas Wells |
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