• Art Events
• Motif No.1 Day
• Kieran Preserve
• WPA art
• Cape Ann Trail
• Contact
  • Home

How the Motif Got It's Name

DOWNLOAD Coloring Page

In 1933, the Rockport American Legion Post. No. 98 built a 27’ scale model of ‘Motif No.1’ for the Legion Parade, which was held in Chicago, Illinois, site of the 1933 World’s Fair. Designed by A. Hibbard & A. Thieme, with participation by the RAA, Board of Trade and townspeople ‘from high to low’, the float was commissioned in June, completed by the end of September, and driven in daylight only, from Rockport to Chicago, in less than a week. On October 3, 1933, among 200 floats, it won first place in the historic float competition .

Here the Motif Float is parked on Granite Pier. Everything was built to scale, barrels contained carved cod and wooden lobsters. The boats were half-hulled to the water line and a canvas painted with reflecting waves hung to within one inch of the ground.

TOPICS COVERED

• The Allure of Motif No.1
• Artistic Attraction
• Commercial Attraction
• Rockport in the Depression
• Chicago in the Depression
• The Float's Construction
• The Journey to Chicago
• Aftermath