In 1996, Willington resident and sculptor Randall Nelson was commissioned to design and cast eight, gold-leafed statues for installation at Connecticut's Old State House in Hartford. The work involved in creating each statue was detailed and lengthy. After consulting art history books to make sure his statues were depicted in an historically accurate manner, Nelson developed the molds, cast the core of each statue, removed air bubbles created by the hardening process and sanded each piece, to which gold leaf was then applied.
After one of those statues, the figure of Gov. Jonathan Trumbull, was irreparably damaged in 2010 when a vehicle struck the flag pole to which it was attached, Nelson was again commissioned to re-cast that figure. Nelson started his recreation of Trumbull several months ago and finished it a few weeks ago. He explained that it takes a long time to smooth out a cast's imperfections so that the gold leaf can be applied.
“It also cost me $1,000 more for the gold leafing than the original estimate I received,” said Nelson, citing the rapid rise in gold prices as the primary reason. “It sat in my studio, gold-leafed, for about three weeks,” said Nelson, who added that it felt “very good to get that project done with. It was very nerve wracking having that thing finished sitting in my shop.” Nelson, who said that the gold is fragile and subject to being scratched, was concerned that the statue would get bumped or damaged before it was placed on the flag pole. Ultimately, the Trumbull statue successfully completed its journey.
During a ceremony on Saturday, July 14, Nelson boarded a cherry picker to complete the installation process. The Trumbull statue was recreated in human fashion by Connecticut Old State House Coordinator of Group and Interpretive Services Ronald Bolin, who, dressed as Gov. Trumbull, carried a basket of food as depicted in the sculpture. Nelson said that very few people attended the ceremony, but passers-by stopped to watch the activity.
Other statues of historical figures cast by Nelson and displayed at the Old State House include Capt. Adrian Block, Joseph Cinqué, Prudence Crandall, Marquis de Lafayette, Capt. Joseph Wadsworth, Gen. George Washington and Roger Wolcott.
Due to time restrictions, Nelson said that officials did not want him to spend time checking the condition of the seven other statues on July 14, although Nelson said he noticed that the tops of the statues are covered in bird droppings. “It looks like they have powdered wigs on now,” quipped Nelson.
Currently, Nelson is on a restoration project in mid-town Manhattan. He is a native of Mississippi who attended Pratt Institute School of Art and Design in Brooklyn. He also holds a Master of Fine Arts degree. In addition to being a sculptor, he teaches art at Quinebaug Valley Community College.
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