Gertie the Duck
Encyclopedia
Gertie the Duck is a world famous mallard and an icon of Milwaukee history. The story of her heroic efforts to hatch six ducklings became an inspiration for many Americans near the end of World War II. Gertie's story unfolded as a daily serial in the local newspaper for 37 days, captivating the residents of Milwaukee, the state and eventually the country.
outdoor writer Gordon MacQuarrie reported that a mallard duck was nesting on a wood piling under the Wisconsin Ave. bridge. A total of nine eggs were laid and the duck kept vigil atop her nest despite throngs of visitors and motorists stopping on the bridge daily to check the progress of the expectant mother. Public interest continued to swell as wire services picked up MacQuarrie's stories and Mother's Day cards began arriving for the mallard. The Boy Scouts' formed a Gertie Patrol and a Wisconsin Humane Society officer was stationed to watch the brood as six of the nine eggs eventually produced chicks. Despite flooding storms and fire on some nearby pilings, five ducklings and Gertie survived the ordeal and were put on public display in the nearby Gimbels department store windows, where more than 2 million visitors peered in to see the famous feathered family. The ducks were later relocated to the Juneau Park lagoon on Milwaukee's lakefront.
, a 4-foot bronze sculpture of the mallard, was created by sculptor Gwendolyn Gillen and installed in September of 1997 on the northwest side of the Wisconsin Ave. bridge over the Milwaukee River
in downtown Milwaukee. The original cost of the sculpture was $15,000 and it was given to the city from the Eppstein Uhen Architects firm. The sculpture can be found along the Milwaukee Riverwalk
as part of the art displays called RiverSculpture!
Nicholas P. Georgiady and Louis G. Romano, two Milwaukee-area teachers, wrote the children's book "Gertie the Duck" in 1959. The book was reissued in 1988 after selling more than 800,000 copies and translated into six languages.
History
Gertie's story began in April of 1945 when The Milwaukee JournalMilwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is a daily morning broadsheet printed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. It is the primary newspaper in Milwaukee, the largest newspaper in Wisconsin and is distributed widely throughout the state...
outdoor writer Gordon MacQuarrie reported that a mallard duck was nesting on a wood piling under the Wisconsin Ave. bridge. A total of nine eggs were laid and the duck kept vigil atop her nest despite throngs of visitors and motorists stopping on the bridge daily to check the progress of the expectant mother. Public interest continued to swell as wire services picked up MacQuarrie's stories and Mother's Day cards began arriving for the mallard. The Boy Scouts' formed a Gertie Patrol and a Wisconsin Humane Society officer was stationed to watch the brood as six of the nine eggs eventually produced chicks. Despite flooding storms and fire on some nearby pilings, five ducklings and Gertie survived the ordeal and were put on public display in the nearby Gimbels department store windows, where more than 2 million visitors peered in to see the famous feathered family. The ducks were later relocated to the Juneau Park lagoon on Milwaukee's lakefront.
Popular culture
Gertie the DuckGertie the Duck (Gillen)
Gertie the Duck is a public artwork by American artist Gwendolyn Gillen, located on the Wisconsin Avenue bridge, which is in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States...
, a 4-foot bronze sculpture of the mallard, was created by sculptor Gwendolyn Gillen and installed in September of 1997 on the northwest side of the Wisconsin Ave. bridge over the Milwaukee River
Milwaukee River
The Milwaukee River is a river in the state of Wisconsin. It is about long.- Description :The river begins in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin and flows south past Grafton to downtown Milwaukee, where it empties into Lake Michigan...
in downtown Milwaukee. The original cost of the sculpture was $15,000 and it was given to the city from the Eppstein Uhen Architects firm. The sculpture can be found along the Milwaukee Riverwalk
Milwaukee Riverwalk
The Milwaukee Riverwalk is a continuous pedestrian walkway along the Milwaukee River in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin.- Description :Conceived in the 1990s to increase public access to the waterway, the Milwaukee Riverwalk has grown to include art displays called RiverSculpture!, the RiverSplash!...
as part of the art displays called RiverSculpture!
RiverSculpture!
RiverSculpture! are public art displays found along the Milwaukee Riverwalk in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Information kiosks stationed near each presentation offer self-guided walking tours of this annual outdoor exhibition.- Description :...
Nicholas P. Georgiady and Louis G. Romano, two Milwaukee-area teachers, wrote the children's book "Gertie the Duck" in 1959. The book was reissued in 1988 after selling more than 800,000 copies and translated into six languages.