Honoring Oak Ridge’s photographer in life-size bronze
A campaign is underway to build a bronze statue of the one man allowed to photograph Oak Ridge when no others could.
“In my view, no individual has done more to preserve and tell Oak Ridge history than Mr. Ed Westcott,” Mick Wiest, president of the Oak Ridge Heritage Preservation Association told The Courier News, regarding the late photographer his organization plans to honor with a statue. Westcott lived from 1922-2019.
The federal government founded Oak Ridge in the mid-1940s to enrich uranium for bombs dropped on Japan. Due to this secret mission, the government didn’t allow anyone besides Westcott to take pictures in town.
He didn’t stop at just photographing the nuclear facilities. He also recorded everyday life amid the city’s then-muddy roads.
“It was Ed’s initiative to go beyond his duties to cover the government’s needs and capture the many facets of life in Oak Ridge,” Wiest said.
A famous Westcott photo shows a crowd celebrating the end of World War II in Jackson Square. Wiest said it’s with this in mind that the heritage group and Pinnacle Financial Partners chose Historic Jackson Square as the site for a full-size bronze Westcott statue.
“Ed told me that photo was one of his favorites, out of tens of thousands; it’s my favorite, too,” Wiest said.
David Heck, native Oak Ridger and volunteer tour guide for the Oak Ridge history Museum, also praised Westcott’s contributions to recording history.
Wiest also knew Westcott personally, having gone to school with his son, William Westcott.
“Among Ed’s admirable traits was to always be a ‘true gentleman,’” Wiest said. “For instance, when greeting someone, he would always stand before shaking hands, even in his 90s when standing was difficult.
“Ed became a close friend to me over the years, and when I think of him now, I think of the Bible verse that states: ‘and the last shall be first.’ Ed was always humble and never sought fame for his work.
“When people view this statue, I hope they see one of our own, a favorite son who spent his career here, active in the community, and always a great ambassador for Oak Ridge,” he said. “A man who did not seek credit for himself and was always willing to help others.”
The heritage group and Pinnacle Financial are raising funds for this future statue.
To help, write a check to ORHPA, P.O. Box 5825, Oak Ridge, and write “Westcott statue” in the memo. You can also donate in person by going to Pinnacle Financial Partners at 231 Jackson Square next to Oak Ridge Playhouse. For more information, contact Wiest at mickwiest@hotmail.com.