Table of Contents
Part I: The Inspiration
The barnacled bodies and heart-shaped spouts of gray whales (Eschrictius robustus) are a welcome sight as they migrate through the Monterey Bay, routine visitors renowned for their deliberate and friendly curiosity toward humans, making them one of the three most beloved marine visitors along California’s Central Coast.
“Gray whales undertake one of the longest annual migrations of any mammal. The eastern North Pacific gray whale population travels about 12,000 miles round trip between summer feeding grounds in the Arctic and the warmer waters of Mexico. That’s where the whales overwinter and females rear their calves.”
Gray whale spyhopping off the California coastline. Credit: Chris Johnson
It’s striking to reflect on how recently these majestic creatures were hunted commercially in U.S. waters. Once labeled “Devil Fish” by whalers for their fierce resistance to harpoons, gray whales have since made a remarkable comeback thanks to conservation efforts following the 1971 ban on commercial whaling and the still celebrated World Whale Day being established in 1980 to raise awareness.
World Whale Day 2025: Celebrating the Giants of the Ocean, Credit: SeetheWhild.
Energized by a cultural increase of whale appreciation, the Santa Cruz City Museum (now the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History) hosted an exhibit by General Whale, an innovative project founded by artist Larry Foster. Foster’s work merged art and science, bringing the grandeur of whales to life through massive sculptures.
A General Whale fiberglass fin whale on display temporarily at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Credit SCMNH Collections
In 1977 and 1979, the Museum showcased two of his creations: Sandy, a ferrocement gray whale now at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, and Pheena, a fiberglass fin whale now at the Lawrence Hall of Science. The overwhelming public enthusiasm for these exhibits set the stage for Santa Cruz to have a whale of its own.
Sandy the gray whale at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History Credit: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Pheena returning to the Lawrence Hall of Science after restoration off-site in 2021. Credit: Laurence Hall of Science
Part II: The Community
With excitement surging, the Museum and local supporters dreamed of a permanent gray whale sculpture—one that would be both a playground and an educational landmark. The idea quickly gained traction, championed by Museum staff like John Anderson and energized by a community eager to bring the project to life.
By 1982, newsletters buzzed with updates on the whale project. Fundraising efforts ranged from lecture series to walkathons, with creative events helping locals grasp the immense scale of whales—like assembling a 10-foot skeleton or exploring a life-sized inflatable blue whale.
Various newspaper reports on the fundraising efforts and construction of the whale statue. Credit: SCMNH Collections
“The whale would be a visible symbol of the Museum’s purposes. The whale campaign raised more than funds—it also expanded community awareness of the Museum’s mission to connect people to nature.”
– Santa Cruz City Museum Leadership.
Fundraisers included puppet and magic shows for local school children and informative fundraiser parties. SCMNH Collections.
Through this passionate advocacy and grassroots fundraising, the dream became a reality. Local ferrocement boat builder Al Hipkins, in collaboration with Larry Foster, took on the project, working until October 16, 1982, when the Seabright Whale was unveiled, and quickly becoming a beloved landmark for generations of visitors.
Construction was underway in 1982.
Part III: The Legacy
Positioned in Tyrrell Park between the Museum and Seabright State Beach, the gray whale statue has delighted thousands of visitors. For many Santa Cruz residents, it’s a childhood memory, a favorite photo spot, or a first introduction to marine conservation.
“I moved to Santa Cruz six months ago, and in getting to know the community, I’ve met people of various ages who light up when I mention ‘The Whale Museum.’ It’s the place they visited as kids or stopped by one summer—the place where they saw taxidermied animals for the first time or slid down the whale’s back on a third-grade field trip.”
– Beck Hong, Communications Coordinator, Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
A class visiting on a field trip lined up to slide down the whale. SCMNH Archive.
Staff, friends, campers, and locals with the iconic whale. SCMNH Archive.
Beloved though it is, time has taken its toll on the sculpture. Over 33 years, resurfacing efforts have helped maintain the structure, but the details have faded. Now, in partnership with the City of Santa Cruz, the Museum is leading a restoration project to revitalize the statue with state-of-the-art materials while ensuring its long-term durability.
Restoration in progress, 2022. SCMNH Archive.
Painted spots drying during a temporary artistic interpretation of the gray whale’s iconic appearance. SCMNH Archive.
Restoration in progress. SCMNH Archive.
Now, in partnership with the City of Santa Cruz, the Museum is leading a restoration project to revitalize the statue with state-of-the-art materials while ensuring its long-term durability.
“Generations of visitors have formed fond memories with this whale, and we’re thrilled to rejuvenate it in a way that is both scientifically accurate and visually captivating.”
– Felicia Van Stolk, Executive Director, Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Starting in mid-April 2025, the iconic gray whale statue will undergo an eight-week restoration.
The updates will include a newly detailed surface and an exciting addition—a companion baby whale calf swimming alongside its mother.
Part IV: The Evolution
Starting in mid-April 2025, the iconic gray whale statue will undergo an eight-week restoration.
The updates will include a newly detailed surface and an exciting addition—a companion baby whale calf swimming alongside its mother. As part of the Museum’s Bright Future Capital Building Campaign, this restoration will ensure that the whale remains a vibrant and educational landmark.
Nautilus Arts Studio, known for its scientifically accurate wildlife sculptures at the San Francisco Zoo and AT&T Park, has been selected for the restoration. Thanks go to our trusted local contractor, Whitlow Concrete, which has been maintaining the statue. The sculpture will be resurfaced with fiber-reinforced concrete for enhanced durability.
Artists at Nautilus Arts Studio displaying prototypes to campaign committee and staff members. SCMNH Archives.
Natilus Arts Studio designs, materials, sculpts, and paints tests. SCMNH Archive.
The revamped whale will boast lifelike details, including expressive eyes, a realistic blowhole, and more accurate proportions. The new baby whale addition will provide a more complete representation of gray whale life history, illustrating their epic migration.
“Newborn calves are typically born in January and February, averaging about 14 to 16 feet in length and weighing about 2,000 pounds. Calves stay with their mothers for about eight months and even migrate with them back to Arctic feeding grounds.”
A gray whale mother and calf swim off the California coast after leaving the nursery lagoons. / Photo by Bill Keener ⓒ The Marine Mammal Center
To ensure authenticity, the restoration team has conducted meticulous research. The texture of this model shows the thought and detail that has gone into the preparation for this endeavor.
The final models of both mother and calf. SCMNH Archive.
Mother gray whale statue with calf. SCMNH Archive.
“Baby whales have whiskers—so how do you translate that into a durable, interactive life-sized statue? These are the kinds of questions you have to ask yourself when embarking on a project like this.”
– Kathleen Aston, Collections Manager, Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Kathleen Aston examines the final sculpted design of the upcoming calf. SCMNH Archive.
Dr. Ari S. Friedlaender, a professor at UC Santa Cruz’s Institute of Marine Sciences and Institute for Arts and Sciences, has been appointed as this project’s scientific advisor to ensure the whale sculpture’s accuracy and will be making onsite visits during the reconstruction.
With the completion of this project, plans for new interpretive signs will accompany the installation, providing deeper insight into the natural history and conservation of gray whales, as well as update existing signage to reflect the Whale’s expanding story.
This revitalization will transform the sculpture into a more immersive educational experience, reinforcing the Museum’s mission to connect people with nature.
The current Whale Statue’s interpretive sign. SCMNH Archive.
More about the Spring 2025 Whale Renovation Project
Why, how, and when will the iconic whale sculpture be updated?
Why does the whale need improvements? The whale has been a beloved icon since its unveiling in 1982. The aging sculpture regularly needs costly resurfacing and its details have become obscured. The improvements will lower ongoing maintenance costs for the City of Santa Cruz and the Museum and will include scientific and artistic enhancements.
How will the statue change? This project will involve a deeper refurbishment and re-sculpting with state of the art materials to restore the whale’s life-like details. It will enhance the interpretive and storytelling value of the sculpture by making it more scientifically accurate and by adding a baby whale calf “swimming” alongside it. The calf is a key part of the migration and conservation story of this species, and is a compelling and charismatic emblem to engage visitors and passersby.
When will this project take place? Site preparation will begin in April, 2025 and project completion is expected by mid summer.
Will people still be able to climb on it? While this statue is considered art, we have kept climbing in mind for the design and material selection – yes, climbing will still be allowed!
Who is paying for this? Although the statue belongs to the City of Santa Cruz, this project will be fully funded by a generous group of donors, and coordinated by the Museum as the first part of our Bright Future Campaign – it will be the first of many improvements to the park and Museum interpretation to come!
Who can I contact for more information? Please reach out to campaign@santacruzmusem.org to learn more about this exciting project.
What’s the history of the whale sculpture? The iconic concrete life-sized female gray whale statue that gives our organization its moniker “the whale museum” is an ambassador for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the ocean habitats that it is connected to. Since 1982 this statue has delighted thousands of visitors every year, inspiring them to wonder at the majestic behemoth that can be spotted twice a year swimming through the waters just across the street during its annual migration. Located in a city park at the nexus between the Museum’s entrance and the entrance to Seabright State Beach, the gray whale is also a beacon that attracts people on their way to the shore to connect with the Museum and its educational message, and to enjoy and access a beautiful local park.
The current whale statue was constructed originally by local shiprights with a hollow construction and design based on Larry Foster’s traveling whale (which is now located at the Pacific Grove Natural History Museum). The original whale was modeled after a beached whale.
Part V: The Future
This project is not just about preservation—it’s about evolution.
As part of the Museum’s Bright Future campaign, the revitalized whale sculpture will serve as a beacon for ocean education and conservation awareness.
“With this project, we hope to deepen the story this sculpture tells about gray whale migration, family bonds, and marine conservation in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.”
– Felicia Van Stolk, Executive Director
The Museum is currently in the leadership-giving phase of its Bright Future campaign, an ambitious initiative to update and expand its historic facilities. The unveiling of the restored whale will be a milestone moment, building excitement and support for the Museum’s broader vision. This restoration has been made possible through the generous support of local donors and is part of a larger vision of community-funded improvements for the facility and park.
In acknowledgment of the Museum’s plans to preserve, expand, and enhance our historic City-owned building and its surrounding grounds in Tyrrell Park, the Santa Cruz City Council, on Tuesday, March 25th, 2025 approved the waiver of fees for the planning and building permits for our Bright Future Campaign! Thank you, Santa Cruz officials, for your continued support and investment in the Museum’s Bright Future!
And thank YOU, our community, for being part of this incredible journey!
Discover more or help shape our shared Bright Future by exploring our campaign booklet.
With a rich history, an engaged community, and a vision for the future, the Seabright Whale continues to make waves—ensuring this tail of epic proportions endures for generations to come.
Throughout the restoration, we’ll be sharing photos of the sculpture’s progress, along with stories of her origin, legacy, evolution, and exciting future! To ensure you receive these insights and updates, subscribe to our newsletter and follow @santacruzmuseum on all platforms.
Whale at sunset. SCMNH Archive.