“Lady Liberty”
The Little Sister of Liberty has stood proudly at Butler Elementary School since the early 1950s. The Butler Boy Scout Troop purchased this statue for 350 dollars. Only 200 replicas were created in the United States to "Strengthen the Arm of Liberty”. She stood proudly on her 11 point star and base that was designed and donated from E.J. Kling from Butler Monument.
In 2020, Butler Elementary School went through construction and the front yard needed a new purpose. Therefore, “Little Lady Liberty” needed to be moved. During construction the Elementary Principal, Mrs. Melody Siebeneck, carefully housed her in an empty classroom during construction and renovation.
Then, in 2023, Stephanie Nelson (longtime educator at Butler Elementary) saw the need for our community statue to receive some renovation and cleaning. She contacted Butler Alumnus, Jesse Schowengerdt, and he immediately came to help. Jesse donated all the materials, time and expertise to renovate, preserve, and clean our Little Sister of Liberty.
In 2024, she was rededicated by our local Boy Scout Troop and stands proudly on her new base and 11 point star. The base and star was provided by another Butler Alumnus , Weston Colburn, and Ready Concrete Services. Little Sister of Liberty is now located at the corner of Dakota and High Street.
According to online sources, roughly half Lady Liberties remain in place today….20 of them being in Missouri.
Special thank you to Stephanie Nelson for helping with this renovation and information