James A. Garfield Statue “Recapitation” Ceremony Attracts Ohio Media

News media from throughout Northeast Ohio converged on Hiram’s campus today at noon to witness the James A. Garfield Statue “Recapitation” Ceremony. The ceremony was held in the front lawn of the Garfield Meeting House on the intersection of State Routes 82 and 700 on the Hiram College Campus.

Hiram’s statue of its former student and principal and the 20th President of the United States was vandalized shortly after the dedication of the Garfield Meeting House in May, capturing the curiosity of people worldwide. College officials nearly gave up hope of finding the missing head when a Good Samaritan returned the missing artifact to the Village Police earlier this summer.

Tuesday’s ceremony marked the end of this bizarre story as the iconic cornerstone of the Village of Hiram was restored to its original condition.

Speakers at the ceremonial recapitation included Hiram College President Thomas V. Chema, Village of Hiram Mayor Lou Bertrand, and Vice President of Student Senate Kyle Kiffer.

See more photos from the event here.