A Tail of Epic Proportions: The Story of the Iconic Seabright Whale
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.”
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Site preparation will begin in April, 2025 and project completion is expected by mid summer.
While this statue is considered art, we have kept climbing in mind for the design and material selection – yes, climbing will still be allowed!
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!
Please reach out to campaign@santacruzmusem.org to learn more about this exciting project.