Amelia Earhart, the legendary aviatrix and fellow Kansan, has been getting a lot of love lately. This renaissance comes on the heels of the recent theft and recovery of a statue honoring her incredible legacy. This statue has proudly stood in a park of Harbour Grace since 2007. It celebrates Earhart’s pioneering first solo transatlantic flight, a historic feat that she herself completed 75 years prior. On April 24, brazen thieves carted the statue away and sawed it into five pieces. Local officials believe they stole it to sell for scrap metal.
Those were the very first things the community jumped to do after the theft. They banded together to crowdfund a $25,000 reward for information leading to the safe return of the statue. Our local artist is currently doing his best to splice and strengthen the statue. They’re planning a major rededication ceremony for next spring. The incident has left some community members, including Elaine Traverse, who discovered the statue’s remains, facing backlash and scrutiny over their involvement.
The Theft of a Historic Monument
The statue of Amelia Earhart stands proudly in Harbour Grace. This historic community really is known for its deep historical ties to aviation. To construct it, a private, unnamed local family made a significant private donation. This structure turned into a very powerful tribute to Earhart’s accomplishments that inspired many in the community. Yet on the morning of April 24, when they were due to unveil it, they learned that the statue had been stolen.
According to local officials, this theft was just a case where the thieves were stealing the metal because it was valuable. Local town officials voiced their outrage at seeing such an irreplaceable piece of local history gone forever. They played up the emotional angle of the loss of a monument honoring one of the poster children of aviation history.
“It’s heartbreaking to share that someone, under the cover of darkness, has stolen the statue of Amelia Earhart and one of the plaques commemorating her achievement,” – The Ninety-Nines
Responding to the search for the statue, The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) began the investigation of the theft. Then they worked hard, and even after tremendous effort they could not figure out who was stealing from them. By then, the supposed culprit was still an enigma.
Discovery and Controversy
Fifty-eight years later, Elaine Traverse was instrumental in recovering the statue. She found its components buried under dense brush and forest. One of her sons is a photographer who took photos of the grounds. These shots showed us that the objects were not just arranged for easy finding.
Traverse shared her fury at the criticism she received from other members of the community who misrepresented her role.
“A lot of people are blaming me for stuff that I’m not doing, and they’re posting all kinds of stuff about myself and my family, and it’s not right,” – Elaine Traverse
Despite her efforts to assist in recovering the statue, Traverse received unwanted attention when rumors spread about her potential complicity in its disappearance. She thought back to when a friend told her to get an attorney. They were afraid she would be charged with involvement in the crime.
“First thing she said was, ‘Do you want to speak to a lawyer? Because you could be arrested for this,’” – Elaine Traverse
As tensions continued to rise among the community, Traverse didn’t give up on his mission to restore Amelia’s legacy. The RCMP’s investigation was ongoing as they were overwhelmed and working day and night to fill in the blanks surrounding the theft.
A Community Reunited
Despite the worry, the decision to return Amelia Earhart’s statue has brought relief to many in Harbour Grace. Local officials have publicly thanked Traverse and others who were instrumental in Traverse’s recovery. Community member Don Coombs expressed how thrilled he was to welcome Amelia home.
“We are thrilled to welcome Amelia home to Harbour Grace, and appreciate the public’s assistance in finding this iconic statue,” – Don Coombs
The local artist is eager to put the statue back together and fortify it. Now the building is about to be restored again to its previous stately presence in Harbour Grace. The planning stages for the rededication ceremony are already underway for next spring. This community event will be both a celebration of the monument’s physical return as well as a renewed recognition of its importance to our shared local heritage.
