Palmyra, Tennessee: E.T. Wickham's Folk Art

The statues are grouped in two separate clusters. The first group is located on Oak Ridge Road. They are behind a fence in a field right next to the road. It is not easy to describe the eerie feeling one experiences when they first appear on the side of the road. The isolated rural area adds to the surreal nature of these statues. Did I mention they are also all headless?

If you continue down Oak Ridge and turn right on Buck Smith Rd you will encounter the other statues. They are standing beside the road about a mile or so on the right.

Ten of the statues from E.T. Wickham Stone Park have been moved from their original location to Oak Ridge Road for better protection against vandalism. This new dramatic setting is high-up on a ridge, allowing an unrestricted view of the pieces. Due to time and vandalism, the sculptures have taken on a classic presence reminiscent of ancient statuary. Five pieces remain visible at the original site at the turnout on Buck Smith Road and several more, including the log cabin home, are hidden by thick undergrowth across the road.

The family is working on restoring the statues and are seeking funding to help them in their quest. Anyone visiting the site should be sure to visit the Wickham Family Cemetery to see the angel and the head stones carved by E.T. Wickham. The family cemetery is located just below Oak Ridge Road on Wickham Road.

As a member of the Wickham family, we were able to move the statues to a safer location on Oakridge Road in Palmyra, TN. E.T. Wickham donated the statues upon his death, and we recently reacquired them. We are hoping to keep them from being vandalized. They are truly remarkable. I am blessed to look at them everyday!

I visited E.T. Wickham's Folk Art site in April, 2005. The statues have been badly vandalized and there is a lot of broken glass around the base of the statues. See how the statues looked in their prime at my website: wickhamstonepark.com.

Near Palmyra, TN, E.T. Wickham created a lot of concrete folk art placed in along the road and in the woods near his home. Unfortunately, time and vandals (mostly vandals) have taken their toll on the statues (and all the heads). What is left is an eerie tribute to one artist's vision and work.

Note there are no loitering and no trespassing signs up, but I talked to the current owner and he didn't mind folks coming by to take pictures and appreciate the art.