Ms. Bernadette Memorial Park Fund

Ms. Bernadette Blum taught generations of children in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. We'd like to honor her life and community impact with a permanent monument here on the Hill. We want to make a park space that will become a neighborhood landmark -particularly one that will appeal to young children. We could think of no better symbol for Ms. Bernadette than a reproduction of the famous statue of FDR's dog, Fala, from the FDR Memorial. Ms. Bernadette loved the statue of Fala and used it so prominently in her River Park Nursery School curriculum that he became an unofficial mascot of the school. Ms. Bernadette praised the statue for being built on a preschooler’s scale and having a friendly accessibility that little kids found joyful and welcoming. We’re hoping the that a similar statue here on the Hill would fulfill that same purpose.

To make the Ms. Bernadette memorial park a reality, we will need funds to create the statue (most likely in bronze) and to place it. The park location is to be determined and we will keep everyone updated as we work to find the perfect space for her legacy to shine for generations to come.

Please help us make a delightful space in the neighborhood to honor one of Capitol Hill’s most humble, incredible, and talented educators.

Many thanks,
The families and friends of Ms. Bernadette and River Park Nursery School