Frog Baby Fountain
Encyclopedia
Frog Baby Fountain is a statue set in the middle of a fountain on the Ball State University
campus. It is known as a sign of good luck and is a popular meeting place. The Frog Baby Statue was cast by Edith Barretto Stevens Parsons
in 1937 and has been moved several times prior to becoming what it is known as today. Frank Ball donated the statue to the university and she remained in the Ball State University Museum of Art
until she became damaged by excessive rubbing by students, and was then packed away. In 1993, Frog Baby was restored and placed in a fountain where she resides today. The fountain is dedicated to Alexander Bracken, the son-in-law of Frank C. Ball, who was responsible for Ball State's rapid growth after World War II
.
After restoration, Frog Baby was placed in her fountain, and now Ball State's students are known for protecting Frog Baby during the winter by bundling her up with hats and scarves.
Ball State Students commonly pull a prank at the fountain by pouring laundry detergent into the fountain causing it to foam over the edges.
Ball State University
Ball State University is a state-run research university located in Muncie, Indiana. It is also known as Ball State or simply BSU.Located on the northwest side of the city, Ball State's campus spans and includes 106 buildings...
campus. It is known as a sign of good luck and is a popular meeting place. The Frog Baby Statue was cast by Edith Barretto Stevens Parsons
Edith Barretto Stevens Parsons
Edith Barretto Stevens Parsons was born in 1878 in Houston, Virginia. She studied with Daniel Chester French, and at the Art Students League of New York where she won a sculpture prize and scholarships. She sculpted figures for the 1902 St...
in 1937 and has been moved several times prior to becoming what it is known as today. Frank Ball donated the statue to the university and she remained in the Ball State University Museum of Art
Ball State University Museum of Art
The Ball State University Museum of Art is an art museum located in the Fine Arts building on the campus of Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, USA....
until she became damaged by excessive rubbing by students, and was then packed away. In 1993, Frog Baby was restored and placed in a fountain where she resides today. The fountain is dedicated to Alexander Bracken, the son-in-law of Frank C. Ball, who was responsible for Ball State's rapid growth after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Lore
Prior to becoming a centerpiece of the fountain, Ball State students would visit Frog Baby in the Ball State University Museum of Art to rub her nose, believing that it would bring them good luck on their upcoming exams. This in turn wore Frog Baby's nose, and the statue had to be put away to avoid further damage.After restoration, Frog Baby was placed in her fountain, and now Ball State's students are known for protecting Frog Baby during the winter by bundling her up with hats and scarves.
Ball State Students commonly pull a prank at the fountain by pouring laundry detergent into the fountain causing it to foam over the edges.