The Joseph T. Simpson Public Library received a $100,000 bequest from the estate of Mary Ann Landis Alexander for the purchase of sculpture for the library. On October 27, 2010, the first three of five pieces of sculptures were installed outdoors and unveiled to our community of readers.
Titled New Heights of Knowledge from Sculptor Gary Lee Price, this three-piece set features a boy and girl holding a book in their hands while leaning against a stack of books. This sculpture is outdoors for the enjoyment of all who visit and drive by the library.
In addition, two bronze book benches from the Randolph Rose Collection were placed inside the library.
Library Director Elizabeth Seidel says “We are truly humbled and grateful for Mrs. Alexander’s generous bequest to the Simpson Library. Her gift enabled us to purchase five beautiful sculpture pieces that fit in perfectly with the library’s mission of books, reading, and literacy.”
For more information on donating to the Simpson Library through your will or planned giving, please contact Library Director Elizabeth Seidel at eseidel@cumberlandcountylibraries.org or 717-766-0171.
The library’s benefactor, Mary Ann Landis Alexander, graduated from Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School in 1936. She was born Mary Ann Landis November 28, 1918 in Springfield, Mass. She spent her early life in Baltimore Md., Boston Mass. and Mechanicsburg, Pa. She graduated from Penn State in 1940 where she was a member of Delta Gamma and Pi Gamma Alpha.
During World War Two, she served overseas with the American Red Cross in Africa, Sicily, Corsica and Italy. It was there she met her late husband Martin Alexander who was a flight surgeon for the 52nd fighter group. They were married on the Isle of Capri in 1944. She lived in Denver for many years and became an Albuquerque resident in 1995.
Mary Ann passed away on September 10, 2007. She is survived by her daughter Lannie, her son John and son in law Steve Wirtz.
Her generous gift to the Joseph T. Simpson Public Library has provided a fitting memorial for her love and passion for art. The remaining money from her bequest was placed in the Library's Endowment Fund.
