There’s a new Eiffel Tower replica
outside the front doors of the W.G. Rhea Public Library, thanks to Tennessee
College of Applied Technology at McKenzie and the City of Paris Public Works
Department.
Connie McSwain, Director of Library,
said TCAT-McKenzie agreed to take on the project of building an 8 foot tall
Eiffel Tower for the Library. Mike Ogden, a welding student at TCAT-McKenzie
did hours of research on the real tower in France, including the architecture
and the history. After doing that research, students realized in order to have
a better scale, they should build the tower 14 feet high as opposed to 8 feet
high. Public works crews from the city
of Paris helped install the tower right outside the main entrance to the
Library.
Those who spearheaded the project included Dr. Brad White, TCAT Director, John Penn Ridgeway, Assistant Director at TCAT-McKenzie, and Jimmy Kee, Welding Instructor at TCAT-McKenzie. Others included James Tucker, TCAT-McKenzie Machine Tool Technology Instructor (retired), Kila Palmer, maintenance, and welding students Keeanu Cox, Donald Pitman, and Mike Ogden. The project required 25 sticks of ¼ HR round which equals 500 feet. Each piece was hand cut and TIG was used to join the pieces together. It took the students 180 man hours to build the tower and it stands 174 inches from base to top. At the top of the tower is an American Flag donated by McEvoy Funeral home.
Ms. McSwain said the replica tower should be just another attraction for the community and visitors when they come to Paris. She said they are already planning a fundraiser around the tower called Locks of Love. Locks are available to purchase at the Library to lock your love on the fence surrounding the tower. The idea for this came from a story and program in France where people purchase a lock then take a boat ride to the river lock on the Sein River and, upon reaching the water lock, place their lock to symbolize locking their love and throw the key into the river. TCAT McKenzie Welding student, Mike Ogden, was the first to purchase a Lock of Love and place it on the fence surrounding the Eiffel Tower. His lock is in memory of his mother who passed away during the creation of the Eiffel Tower. Jimmy Kee and John Penn Ridgeway followed suit, engraving and placing their locks on the fence.
TCAT-McKenzie was honored to be asked
to help with this project. A reception
and formal unveiling of the tower was held August 7th, 2015.
