State, County, and Town of Smithtown officials joined alongside members of the community, the Smithtown Historical Society, and the Kings Park Heritage Museum to rededicate the town’s landmark statue of Whisper the Bull. On Tuesday, October 29th, elected leaders, including Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick and Assemblyman Steve Engelbright, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Suffolk County Legislators Leslie Kennedy and Rob Trotta, and descendant of the legendary Bull Rider, Nissequogue Mayor Richard Smith, joined Supervisor Ed Wehrheim in sharing their individual memories about the Bull Statue.
“I’m pleased to rededicate Whisper to the community, almost a year after a car accident damaged the masonry and landscape surrounding the Bull. This monument represents our roots… and preserving it ensures the legend of our Town’s beginning will carry on throughout future generations.” – Supervisor Ed Wehrheim
Plans for the restoration were led by the Town of Smithtown Parks Department, Traffic Safety, and the Planning Department. The landscaping was designed by the Smithtown Parks Department and David Barnes, Asst. Planning Department Director and one of the top Landscape Architects in the region. The Custom-made wall and Smithtown Sign was made using Travertine stone, used by StoneMasons dating back to Ancient Egypt. The lanterns above the wall were designed to replicate the original lamps from 1941, when Whisper was first erected.
“We live in such a beautiful community, our villages, our parks… We are family. And not only are we here today embracing our heritage… but we’re embracing our future.” – Mayor Richard Smith
In addition to the bull renovations, the Town also unveiled two historic roadside markers that map out Richard Smith’s bull ride to set the town’s limits. The two Legends and Lore Roadside Markers were paid for thanks to two grants, funded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation. The Kings Park Heritage Museum worked to secure these grants for the town.