Rosie the Riveter Statue

The Rosie the Riveter Statue is a vibrant public art installation and historical memorial located in Ashland Park, Clarksville, Indiana. Dedicated on September 16, 2022, the monument celebrates the resilience and critical contributions of women on the American home front during World War II.

Unlike generic tributes, this installation specifically honors Rose Will Monroe, a former Clarksville resident who became nationally recognized as the real-life embodiment of the "Rosie" persona. Monroe, a war widow and riveter at the Ford Willow Run bomber factory, was featured in wartime promotional films that rallied the nation.

Positioned along the Ohio River Greenway, the site serves as both an educational landmark and an engaging photo destination. It represents a successful community-led preservation effort, funded largely through crowdfunding and state grants to permanently etch Monroe's story into the local landscape.

Key Facts

Location: Ashland Park, Clarksville, IN (near Riverside Dr)
Dedication: September 16, 2022
Honoree: Rose Will Monroe ("Rosie")
Design: The Weber Group
Cost: $130,000+ (Community Funded)
Access: Open 24/7, Free Admission

The Real Rosie: Rose Will Monroe

While "Rosie the Riveter" was a composite character, Rose Will Monroe gave the persona a real face in film. A Kentucky native widowed at age 22, Monroe moved north to Michigan to support her family by building B-24 Liberator bombers.

Discovered by actor Walter Pidgeon at the Willow Run Aircraft Factory, she was cast in promotional films for war bonds because she authentically embodied the spirit of determination. After the war, she fulfilled a personal dream by earning her pilot's license and settled in Clarksville, where she operated her own construction company until her passing in 1997.

Design & Visitor Experience

Interactive Installation

Created by The Weber Group, the statue invites interaction. Visitors can step onto the platform alongside the life-size figure of Rosie, who is posed in her iconic flexed-arm stance.

Scenic Backdrop

The installation is framed by a "We Can Do It!" speech bubble structure. It is strategically oriented so that the Louisville skyline and the Ohio River provide a dramatic background for photographs.

Community Funding

The project symbolizes local unity, funded by a "CreatINg Places" matching grant from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority and a crowdfunding campaign that raised over $130,000.

Accessibility

The site features paved access from the Ohio River Greenway, making it wheelchair accessible. The statue is illuminated at night, allowing for visits at any hour.

Visitor Information

Getting There The statue is located in Ashland Park along the Ohio River Greenway. It sits near Riverside Drive, directly across from Widow's Walk Ice Cream, a popular local landmark.

Nearby Amenities The site is integrated into the Ohio River Greenway, a multi-use path connecting Clarksville, Jeffersonville, and New Albany. Visitors can enjoy walking, cycling, and river views immediately adjacent to the memorial.