World's Largest Penny - Woodruff, WI
Posted by: 
bluesnote
N 45° 53.707 W 089° 42.011
16T E 290526 N 5085940
The World's Largest Penny is made of concrete about a foot thick and weighs 17,452 pounds. It's in Woodruff, Wisconsin.
Waymark Code: WM9AEV
Location: Wisconsin, United States
Date Posted: 07/22/2010
Views: 12
Created From:
World's Largest Penny - posted by
4Peter and Gloria
The World's Largest Penny commemorates a 1953 fund-raising stunt. Dr. Kate Pelham Newcomb implored local school children to save their pennies so that Woodruff could build a hospital. TV picked up on the story and soon 1.7 million pennies ($17,000) poured in from all over the country. Woodruff got its hospital.
The continuing campaign netted more than $100,000.
~ text from the Million Penny Parade marker ~
THE
MILLION PENNY PARADE
Dr. Kate NewComb had a dream - - a hospital for the Lakeland area. Through contributions and volunteer help, the hospital was started. Because of lack of funds the building was discontinued. Pennies would now help to complete the hospital.
The pupils of the geometry class of Arbor Vitae - Woodruff School wanted to see a million of something.Their teacher, Otto Burlch, suggested that they collect pennies for the new hospital. The Million Penny Parade was launched.
In March of 1954, Dr. Kate went to a Doctors convention in California. She was a surprise guest on the T.V. program "This is Your Life." Because of her appearance people all over the country sent money for the hospital. With this money, amounting to $106,000 the hospital was completed and equipped.
As a result of this Penny Parade, the residents of this area had the beginning of the present Lakeland Memorial Hospital. This Penny is dedicated to the work of Dr. Kate and the people of the community who helped make this hospital a reality.
DONATED BY EIGHTH GRADE CLASS OF 1969
Visit Instructions:
Please provide another photo of the location. You don't have to be in there shot, but you can. The photo requirement is to discourage any armchair visiting.