Above, the mother of mankind still offers forbidden fruit at the Garden of Eden. This sculpture is part of Samuel P. Dinsmoor’s concrete commentary on the fallen state of man, of greed and injustice.  It’s a bit bizzare, by simplicity-loving midwestern tastes – okay, some of its offerings are bizzare by any sane standards – but  the art and home reveals much about the social conscience and the colorful character of its creator.
Much of the art deals with the rising influence of monopolies in his time, and the government’s support of large business — especially the railroads — at the expense of the common man. Among other things Dinsmoor was a retired farmer, a group that often suffered the consequences of those policies. Commenting on the concrete American flag flying above the site, Dinsmoor said “That flag protects capital today better than it does humanity.”

My sources, and links for more information about the Garden of Eden:

• Our photo essay on FlyoverPeople.net
• The Sick Soul – an essay by John D. Spalding
• The Garden of Eden – on Wasburn.edu