Will and Charlie statue prepares to welcome Mayo Clinic patients and staff from a new home
In 2004, "My Brother and I," the iconic statue of Drs. William J. and Charles H. Mayo, took a seat on the stairs in the Feith Family Statuary Park between Third and Fourth Avenue Southwest, welcoming patients and staff to Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
The Gonda and Mayo buildings rose behind them, and statues of their father, W.W. Mayo, M.D., and Mother Alfred Moes watched over them.
Rarely will you see "My Brother and I" alone. Be it the first day at a new job or the last day of treatment, thousands of patients, staff, students and visitors capture the moment with a picture, their arms around Will or Charlie's shoulder, and a smile on their faces.
"We have many, many guests and patients take their photographs by Will and Charlie," says Sharon Erdman, exhibit manager at Mayo Clinic. "They sit with them and make them a part of their special moment at Mayo Clinic."
Finding new homes
Nestled between the buildings of the downtown Rochester campus, the statues that make up the Feith Family Statuary Park are important historic touchstones for Mayo Clinic.
"These statues are incredibly important because they are the essence of the Mayo Clinic," Erdman says. "The statues of Dr. William Worrall Mayo and Mother Alfred Moes depict the original story of Mayo Clinic and show the relationship and respect they had for each other as they discuss starting a hospital."
And like those days in 1883 when Dr. Mayo and Mother Alfred dreamed about a place for hope and healing unlike any other, today Mayo Clinic is preparing to transform healthcare again.
By investing in downtown Rochester through new and remodeled physical spaces with integrated technology that will blend inpatient, outpatient and virtual care, Mayo Clinic will be able to better support staff and the evolving needs of patients.
Due to their central location on campus and proximity to patient care areas, the Feith Family Statuary Park, Damon Parking Ramp and Ozmun complex will be redeveloped into two new clinical and patient arrival spaces — and these important statues will need new homes.
The current plans are to move Will and Charlie to sit in front of the wave wall on the east side of the Gonda Building, opposite of where they sit today.
The statues will sit on new steps in the remodeled space between the Gonda Building and Mayo Building east entrances. The remodeled east Mayo and Gonda building entrances, which will be completed in 2025, will enhance the patient arrival experience with designated valet and shuttle drop-off locations during the construction period.
"The new east Gonda entrance will be a wonderful place for 'My Brother and I,'" says Erdman. "Not only will you be able to sit with Will and Charlie for a photo, but just like they are today, the brothers will be at our front door to greet patients and staff as they arrive at Mayo Clinic."
The future location of the Dr. W.W. Mayo and Mother Alfred statues is still being evaluated, but the possibilities are being considered with care.
"We are working to help the designers understand the stories behind the statues as we explore options together," says Erdman. "We're trying to find a location that can maintain the original story of William Worrall and Mother Alfred so that it can continue to be shared with patients and staff."
No matter their next destinations, Erdman sees these pieces of history providing inspiration long into Mayo's collective future.
"These integral pieces of our history will be given places of honor as the new facilities are built — reminding all of us that amidst exciting changes, we remain committed to our values and inspired by our mission, just like these figures from our history," she says. "We are — and will remain — Mayo Clinic."
About each statue
Dr. William Worrall Mayo
Following Dr. William Worrall Mayo's death in 1911, the city of Rochester organized a citywide drive to raise money to commission a statue in his honor. The statue was unveiled on May 29, 1915, in Mayo Park, which is now home to the Mayo Civic Center.
The statue of Dr. William Worrall Mayo was created by Leonard Crunelle in cast bronze.
Mother Alfred Moes
In 1999, the centennial of Mother Alfred Moes' death, the Sisters of Saint Francis and Mayo Clinic commissioned a statue to honor the founder of the Rochester Franciscans who went on to establish Saint Marys Hospital in 1889.
The statue of Mother Alfred Moes was created by Mike Majors in cast bronze.
My Brother and I
Commissioned in 2002, "My Brother and I" depicts brothers William Mayo, M.D., and Charles Mayo, M.D., as they are in an iconic photograph taken on their front porch. The title of the statue honors the close relationship between the two brothers and their insistence that any honors would recognize "My brother and I."
"My Brother and I" was created by Tuck Langland in cast bronze.
About Damon Parking Ramp
The Damon Parking Ramp, which connects to the Feith Family Statuary Park to the north, will remain open until mid-2025. Plans for patient parking transitions related to the Damon Parking Ramp closure will be shared with patients and staff in the spring of 2025.