Harry Robinson Sculptor - Bernardsville Mr. Local History
Based at his home studio in Bernardsville, Harry Robinson, a professional structural engineer, is an artist sculptor who changed the landscapes of outdoor spaces across the county. A former zeppelin pilot in the Air Force and Maplewood, New Jersey transplant, Robinson had a gift; it just took him a while to recognize that sculpting would be his artistic legacy. We look back at his work and remember the history he left behind.
Over 23 years, Harry created over 50 statues and was the only artist to create sculptures only from dead trees. Nancy Robinson, Harry’s wife, was one of his biggest fans. “It keeps him young. He loves doing it.”
It all started in 1955 when Harry signed up for a sculpting class at the Maplewood Adult School after contracting the mumps at home and getting a sculpting kit because he was bored.
As Joyce Kilmer said “Only God can create a tree”. but when he’s done with them, Harry Robinson gives them a second life.
Luther Turmelle, Courier News 1989
It usually took about three months per piece to complete. Who didn’t love Harry’s approach. “There’s always something in there that you have to let out.” said Robinson “It’s satisfying, emotional, and spiritual for me.” That’s why he did it.
As Joyce Kilmer said “Only God can create a tree. But Harry Robinson gives them a second life when he’s done with them. Luther Turmelle, Courier News 1989
Back in 1983, Harry carved a bear, which became one of his favorite and most recognized sculptures. So many people loved the bear that there was a contest to name his creation, and it went viral.
The Bear, setting the 1983 “Name-the-Bear” contest winners were announced promptly at 1 p.m. by sanctuary director Richard Kane. A panel of Audubon judges selected the winning name of “Bernard” from 114 entries submitted during the past six months. Since the name “Bernard” was submitted by five entrants, the judges decided that the earliest postmarked entry would be declared first-prize winner. This honor went to Frank C. Yurasko, an 11-year-old from Bernardsville. Yurasko, whose entry was dated Dec. 23, 1983, was given a miniature wooden replica of the bear prepared by Harry Robinson.
Robinson’s second large outdoor project was known locally as the “Good Shepherd”, an iconic wooden carving that stood 20 feet tall in a field just off the Route 202 highway in Bernardsville.
The iconic shepherd was noted for looking over the children at the Gentle Shepherd Nursery School and the church congregation across the street from the sculpture. Ruschmann said Robinson’s original idea was to carve an American Indian from the ancient white oak, which had previously been struck by lightning.
However, because the statue would face the First Presbyterian Church of Bernardsville, Mr. Ruschmann suggested that a shepherd would be more appropriate. Over the years, said Ruschmann, the statue became “a landmark” in Bernardsville, its outstretched arm appearing to hail motorists as they entered the borough from the south.
After years of weather and bug infestation, the Gentle Shepherd became unstable and had to come down. Locals remember saying how horrible it would be if the public saw the once great gentle shepherd face down in the field due to neglect. So it had to come down. “We’re going to miss him a lot,” said Roberta Ruschmann, owner of Meadowbrook Farm, where the statue had stood since being carved from the trunk of a dead oak tree. Ruschmann said her father, the late Henry F. Ruschmann, commissioned Harry Robinson to carve the statue in 1976.
In 2013, the 24-foot-tall statue was restored after a five-year process led by Henry Ruschmann, who described the extensive project during a dedication service on Sunday, October 20, 2013, at the First Presbyterian Church of Bernardsville. Leading the outdoor ceremony for a group of about 50 residents was the Rev. Chester Kim, the church pastor. The shepherd finally returned to his rightful place, looking over his flock from his Bernardsville perch.
Liberty Corner residents Richard Arnold and Harry Robinson put the finishing touches on Robinson’s carving, “The Mountain Man,” on Church Street in Liberty Corner in 1999. The carving was made from a 100-year-old sugar maple tree that was damaged in a storm.
Costs were estimated to be between $1,000 and $10,000 per sculpture, and each piece usually took about three months to complete. Let us know if you’ve seen any other Harry Robinson carvings. They were very popular in the area. If you have one, and an old photo, drop us a note !
Robinson moved to Bernardsville around 1978 and retired as a structural engineer in 1989. His primarily figurative work is noted for its use of grain patterns and natural configurations of branches, trunks, and bark—the rough-chiseled finish incorporated with his humor. He was a trustee of the Somerset Hills Art Association and a Somerset Hills Adult School instructor. He also gave demonstrations of wood carving at the Bernards Township Library. Robinson was also an elder with the Bernardsville Presbyterian Church. Robinson said he had no favorite sculpture: “That would be like picking a favorite child, I guess.” But when pressed, he did say the Good Shepherd was his most challenging and rewarding.
Harry Cain Robinson, who later moved to Doylestown, PA., passed on Dec. 23, 2011, at 87. A memorial service was held at the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church in Basking Ridge on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, where he now rests. Mr. Robinson was born in 1924 in Toledo, Ohio, to the late Harry and Beyrl Robinson. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Naval Air Force during World War II. He was very active in community theater, where he did acting, scenery, and set production. He was an active Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church member, where he was ordained as an elder. He is most well-known for his wood sculpture, especially for several monumental pieces, including the 24-foot “Good Shepherd,” formerly in Bernardsville, and “The Liberty Eagle,” currently on Schooley’s Mountain in Long Valley, N.J.
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I was fortunate enough to attend the estate sale at Harry Robinsons house. I guess before he moved to PA. I bought two lovely bird sculptures on my way out, I saw a collage tucked behind other items in the garage.I was told Mr. Robinson used it when he was demonstrating his skills to create the good shepherd!