Crews restore popular sculpture Rachel at the Well after Hurricane Ian destruction
Nineteen months after Hurricane Ian, Rachel at the Well has returned with crews reassembling her broken body.
On Tuesday, they returned her upper half to the sculpture using large machinery and chains in an all-day project. City officials estimate the work on Rachel will be completed by April 26, however, they expect work to get "The Spirit of Fort Myers" fountain working and change lighting in the following weeks.
A FEMA grant is helping with the cost of restoration of the famous Fort Myers sculpture. City officials didn't have the exact cost immediately available.
The hurricane, with more than 155 mph winds, knocked over and nearly snapped in half the Grecian maiden on Sept. 28, 2022. In the aftermath, it was covered with shrubs and a ripped up iron fence, suffering structural and cosmetic damage.
The statue, erected in 1926, was commissioned by author James D. Newton and sculpted by German artist Helmuth von Zengen. It is at the entrance to Edison Park, at 2404 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers.
Workers restored it in 1983 and again in 2017.
Spirit of Fort Myers: 5 things to know about ‘Rachel at the Well’ statue as Fort Myers seeks funding for Hurricane Ian repairs
Last fall, Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson promised to restore Rachel, making "her stronger than ever, so that she can withstand the storms of the future."
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Popular Fort Myers landmark Rachel at the Well under restoration
