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Saying Good Bye to "The Awakening" Sculpture in DC

For anyone who has ever encountered this strange sculpture at Hains Point in Washington DC it always takes a few minutes to take it all in. If you weren't excepting to see a giant emerging from the earth it can be a real surprise. Kids love it and tourists spend a lot of time photographing the sculpture.

The Awakening Sculpture

Now "The Awakening" is leaving and moving across the Potomac River to a new home in Prince Georges County at the new mega National Harbor development. Even though I write quite a bit about DC and Northern Virginia history I was surprised to learn that the statue has actually been on loan to the National Park Sevice. Since it has been at Hains Point since 1980 it never crossed my mind that it was a permanent fixture.

So starting tomorrow they will be digging up our quirky sculpture and by the end of the week he will be in his new home. I wish him well in his travels and look forward to visiting him on the other side of the river.

More pictures of "The Awakening"

Posted by Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services on 02/19/2008 06:46 PM

Comments (16)

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16 Comments on Saying Good Bye to "The Awakening" Sculpture in DC

That is a very interesting sculpture. I am glad they are just moving it and not destroying it.

02/19/2008 07:07 PM

by Jim Houlihan (Coldwell Banker)

I remember seeing it during the Marine Corps Marathon. It's bigger than I expected.

02/19/2008 07:34 PM

by Craig W. Barrett - Hughesville MD Real Estate (RE/MAX 100)

Cindy, like Craig, the last time I saw the sculpture was during the Marine Corps Marathon in 2004. I'm sure it can't be easy orchestrating the move.

02/20/2008 06:05 AM

by Brian Block -- Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate (RE/MAX Allegiance)

Jim, I was shocked when I learned it was moving but it goes to show money talks and the statue moves.

02/20/2008 07:42 AM

by Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services (RE/MAX Allegiance #1 RE/MAX Company in the World)

Craig-it is huge! Perhaps you thought you were seeing things at that point in the Marathon :-)

02/20/2008 07:43 AM

by Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services (RE/MAX Allegiance #1 RE/MAX Company in the World)

Brian-I've spent some time with the statue when I was bike riding in the area. It is awesome and will be missed by locals and tourists alike.

02/20/2008 07:44 AM

by Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services (RE/MAX Allegiance #1 RE/MAX Company in the World)

I'm bummed about this. Whenever I fly into National during the daytime I look for it. I haven't been to it in about 5 years and don't think I ever took pics of it either. 28 years later they claim him? Hmpf!

02/22/2008 12:24 AM

by Tchaka Owen (Elite Coastal Properties)

Do you ever get to Seattle? There is a really amazing Troll under a Bridge there, witha VW bug in his hand. Giants and monsters are always such crowd pleasers. :)

02/22/2008 12:40 AM

by Sarah Nopp, REALTOR(R), CRS. RE/MAX Four Seasons, Olympia WA (RE/MAX Four Seasons)

Cindy - this is sooo cool! I have never seen it before! thanks for sharing that with all of us here in the Rain!

02/22/2008 07:00 AM

by Bill & Barbara Jo - Florida Realty Professional - AHWD (Charles Rutenberg Realty)

Tchaka-I'm disappointed too. Never thought that someone would dig him up and whisk him away.

02/22/2008 11:52 AM

by Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services (RE/MAX Allegiance #1 RE/MAX Company in the World)

Sarah-I used to travel to Seattle quite a lot. I can't believe I missed the Troll under the bridge. I would love to see a picture!

02/22/2008 11:53 AM

by Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services (RE/MAX Allegiance #1 RE/MAX Company in the World)

Bill & Barbara Jo-it is cool and now it is gone. It isn't that far away but still it was an icon along the Potomac River and it will be missed.

02/22/2008 11:54 AM

by Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services (RE/MAX Allegiance #1 RE/MAX Company in the World)

Here you go! One troll in Seattle, care of wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fremont_Troll

It really is very cool. And that is areal VW bug in its hand.

02/23/2008 11:59 PM

by Sarah Nopp, REALTOR(R), CRS. RE/MAX Four Seasons, Olympia WA (RE/MAX Four Seasons)

Sarah-that is so cool. It will be on must see list the next time I come back to Seattle!

02/24/2008 07:27 AM

by Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services (RE/MAX Allegiance #1 RE/MAX Company in the World)

Cindy, I told my GF about this yesterday and she was quite bummed. Unbeknownst to me, her grandfather's ashes were sprinkled all around The Awakening. It didn't help matters when I told her a luxury condo was going up right there. :-)

03/03/2008 11:13 PM

by Tchaka Owen (Elite Coastal Properties)

I love this sculpture. At first I thought they were destroying it. I am so glad they are not. It is so interesting.

03/04/2008 08:40 AM

by Stella Barbour - Real Estate Agent - Serving Northern Virginia (Jobin Realty - Real Estate Agent)

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