Dora

Dora

This statue, affectionately nicknamed "Dora," was sculpted by Helmuth von Zengen around 1924, and is based on the sculptures of sprites that Alfonso Lannelli and Frank Lloyd Wright had designed for Midway Gardens. Herbert Dow commissioned Von Zengen to design this statue using magnesite cement, a new material that the Dow Chemical Company was experimenting with at the time.

In addition to Dora, Von Zengen sculpted two pelicans for Herbert Dow out of Portland cement in 1930. One of these pelicans sits perched on the edge of the pond near the main garden pathway. More than 90 years later, these sculptures continue to bring joy to Dow Gardens visitors.

Dow Gardens Audio Tour
  1. Visitor Center & Gift Shop
  2. Birch Grove
  3. Boulder Pass & Waterfall
  4. Streamside
  5. Conservatory
  6. Secret Garden
  7. Herb Garden
  8. Sun Bridge
  9. The Pines
  10. The Yew Maze
  11. Willow Wedding Site
  12. Red Bridge Overlook & The Maze
  13. Founders' Circle
  14. The Bumps
  15. Dora
  16. Observation Island
  17. Wedding Peninsula
  18. Rhododendron Trail
  19. Children's Garden
  20. Rose Garden & Trial Beds
  21. Rose Garden Bridge
  22. Orange Bridge Overlook & The Snake Creek Floodplain
  23. Orchard
  24. Mini Pines
  25. Wildflower Meadow
  26. Playground
  27. Forest Trails
  28. Covered Bridge
  29. Canopy Walk
  30. Education Center