The University News

Issue date: 10/26/09 Section: News

Media Credit: courtesy UMKC Archives The "Three Graces" could be found in the fountain outside Manheim Hall.

It was 1973 when three women, who were on campus for more than three decades, vanished without a trace.

Aglaia, Euphrosyne and Thalia were mainstays at what was then the University of Kansas City (UKC). These "Three Graces," as they were known, could always be found wading in the fountain outside Manheim Hall.

Since their arrival on campus in 1939, the women were picked on by various campus organizations.

"Some of the early social groups on campus, for initiations, would sneak up here in the middle of the night and put bras on them," Tonya Crawford, senior archives specialist, said.

They also gained the nickname of the "nifty nudes" because the women were naked. Reportedly carved from terracotta, these women were, in fact, statues.

According to a 1960s UKC student handbook, the statues were a gift from the class of 1939. They were carved by Wallace Rosenbauer, who, at the time, was the director of the Kansas City Art Institute.

"They were supposed to represent the three graces: Aglaia for splendor, Euphrosyne for mirth and Thalia for good cheer," Crawford said.

The legend of the "Three Graces" states: "Always together, a triple incarnation of grace and beauty, they delighted the Greek gods with their dancing and singing and brought happiness to all whom they visited."

In 1940, the statues were placed in the fountain in front of Manheim Hall.

But in 1973, the statues were removed for reasons unknown.

"One newspaper clipping states that the statues were removed and reworked into what's there now because the fountain was getting old," Crawford said.

Crawford has also read a statement from former UMKC Chancellor James Olsen stating the statues were removed after having been vandalized numerous times.

"So, there's two different explanations given as to why the original pieces were removed and the fountain reworked," Crawford said.

There is virtually no information as to where the statues ended up.

According to a memo from Claire Hildebrand, former secretary for the History department, dated November 1983, the statues were moved to the basement of 5212 Rockhill Road, the former location of the History department.

Continued...

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