Fairhope Single Tax Corporation

A bronze statuary group based on renowned New York educator John Dewey's 1913 picture of Mrs. Johnson actively teaching students on the Organic School campus has been installed in the park over-looking the municipal pier. Fairhope artists Richard Arnold, Barbara Casey, and Fran Neumann, representing the Fairhope Sculptors' Studio, designed and produced the handsome grouping.

There was much support from numerous sources to bring this piece of Fairhope history to the bluff. Many private donations were received from people whose lives were touched by Marietta Johnson. In addition, the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation was pleased to make a financial contribution of $7,500 to this worthwhile project. On parkland originally donated in 1931 by the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation to the City of Fairhope, this bluff will serve as a permanent home for the statuary. In addition, the City proclaimed October 8 as Marietta Johnson Day in Fairhope.

Marietta Johnson was instrumental in promoting the progressive education movement. She established her School of Organic Education in 1907. Her model was designed to provide a noncompetitive educational environment that allowed children to develop at their own pace. That same year the FSTC Executive Council voted to appropriate a monthly stipend for Mrs. Johnson school and has continued to supporter of the Organic School throughout the 20th century. Her legacy lives on.

Copyright © 2000 Fairhope Single Tax Corporation. All rights reserved.
Revised: October 15, 2002