Frog Baby Fountain

Infobox University campus
university = Ball State University
color = #CC2233
name = Frog Baby Fountain
picture = BSUFrogBaby4.jpg
pic_caption = Frog Baby
use = Statue
style = Memorial
erected = 1993
location = North of Bracken Library
coor = coord|40.20324707|-85.40725708|display=inline,title
campus = main
namesake =
architect = Rundell Ernstberger Associates (Landscape Architect for the Fountain)
free_label =
free =
website =

Frog Baby Fountain is a statue set in the middle of a fountain on the Ball State University campus. It is known as a sign of good luck and is a popular meeting place. The Frog Baby Statue was cast by Edith Barretto Stevens Parsons in 1937 and has been moved several times prior to becoming what it is known as today. Frank Ball donated the statue to the university and she remained in the Ball State University Museum of Art until she became damaged by excessive rubbing by students, and was then packed away. In 1993, Frog Baby was restored and placed in a fountain where she resides today. The fountain is dedicated to Alexander Bracken, the son-in-law of Frank C. Ball, who was responsible for Ball States rapid growth after World War II. [ [http://www.bsu.edu/map/bldngs/frog/ "Frog Baby, Ball State University." (Ball State University Website)] , Retrieved April 6, 2008.]

Lore

Prior to becoming a fountain, Ball State students would visit Frog Baby in the Ball State University Museum of Art to rub her nose because they believed that it would bring good luck to their upcoming exams. This in turn damaged Frog Baby's nose, and had to be put away for protection from the Ball State Students

After restoration, Frog Baby was placed in her fountain, and now Ball State students are known for protecting Frog Baby during the winter by bundling her up with hats and scarfs. [ [http://cms.bsu.edu/About/HistoryAndMission/CampusLandmarksAndTraditions/FrogBaby.aspx "Frog Baby." (Ball State University Website)] , Retrieved April 6, 2008.]

References