Gregory Stone
Work Completed in
Paradise District
Gregory Stone
Artist: Gregory Stone (1947–2016)
Artwork Title: The Eva Trager Memorial (commonly known as the Main Street Owl)
Material/Creation: A cast bronze owl sculpture perched on top of an elongated bronze branch. The entire structure is mounted onto a polished gray granite pedestal base inset with personalized bronze nameplates.
Year Created: Unveiled on September 14, 2012 (on the first anniversary of Eva Trager's passing).
Location: Located on the public sidewalk in front of 157 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060 (the former site of Trager’s historic downtown storefront, Country Comfort).
Meaning: The memorial acts as a "Downtown Hall of Fame" celebrating the visionaries, business owners, and pioneers who spearheaded the cultural and commercial renaissance of downtown Northampton beginning in the 1970s. The monument is named after Eva Trager, a beloved merchant and advocate affectionately crowned the “Queen of Main Street”. Artist Gregory Stone chose an owl because he viewed the animal as deeply soulful, wise, and evocative of indigenous folklore. Every few years, a biennial committee selects deceased community members who left a lasting mark on the city's vitality to have their names permanently engraved onto the base of the monument.
Links:
Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce: Eva Trager Memorial Hub
Daily Hampshire Gazette: Remembering Downtown Northampton's Pillars
Behind Thornes Marketplace, 150 Main Street / Created (See location on the Map)
Funded by:
