Elizabeth Plankinton, American philanthropist (d. 1923)
Elizabeth Ann or Anne Plankinton (July 27, 1853 – 1923) was an American philanthropist in the early 20th century, the daughter of Milwaukee businessman John Plankinton. She was also known as "Miss Lizzie" and the people of Milwaukee called Plankinton the "municipal patroness" because of her generosity. She made a large donation that built the first YWCA in Milwaukee. She also purchased an elaborate large-scale pipe organ for the newly constructed city auditorium.
She supported local artists and artisans. One of her notable gifts was the 1885 statue of George Washington that was ultimately placed in Milwaukee's Monument Square. It is nine feet tall and sits on a twelve-foot base. This was the first piece of public art for the city and was sculpted by her fiancé.
Plankinton had a three-bedroom mansion built for her in an upscale Milwaukee neighborhood as a wedding gift from her father. Her fiancé abandoned her for a dancer from Minneapolis. Distraught, Plankinton lost interest in the mansion. It stood empty for a decade and was eventually purchased by a widow.
1853Jul, 27
Elizabeth Plankinton
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Events on 1853
- 4Jan
Twelve Years a Slave
After having been kidnapped and sold into slavery in the American South, Solomon Northup regains his freedom; his memoir Twelve Years a Slave later becomes a national bestseller. - 19Jan
Il trovatore
Giuseppe Verdi's opera Il trovatore receives its premiere performance in Rome. - 14Jul
Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations
Opening of the first major US world's fair, the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations in New York City. - 4Oct
Crimean War
The Ottoman Empire declares war on the Russian Empire. - 30Nov
Battle of Sinop
Crimean War: Battle of Sinop: The Imperial Russian Navy under Pavel Nakhimov destroys the Ottoman fleet under Osman Pasha at Sinop, a sea port in northern Turkey.