Sarah's Heirloom

In the fall of 2001, the Sterling Heights Cultural Commission and Sterling Heights Community Foundation commissioned renowned sculptor Janice B. Trimpe to build Sarah's Heirloom, a bronze tribute to the Upton family, founders of the historic Victorian-style home located on the City Center campus. The 400-pound bronze statue was unveiled on May 21, 2002 in front of the historic Upton House.

The sculpture portrays a grandmother showing her granddaughter how to needlepoint. The figures resemble grandmother Sara Upton and her granddaughter Sara Jean Upton, whose family founded the Upton House in the late 1800s.

Janice B. Trimpe

Sarah's Heirloom is one of many works created by renowned Michigan sculptor Janice B. Trimpe. Over the past 23 years, she has produced dozens of sculptures, including busts of a former governor, boxer Joe Louis, dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov and projects for other municipalities such as Mount Clemens and Roseville. "The gift of life is an inherent gift from our creator and, as an artist, I feel obligated to share my talent with others," she says.

Funding

Funding for Sarah's Heirloom was made possible through the generous donations of the Sterling Heights Community Foundation, Sterling Heights Cultural Commission, Suzanne C. DeFrancis, Marjorie DeFrancis, Helene Miller, Plante & Moran, Hubbel, Roth and Clark, L.L.C. and O'Reilly, Rancilio, Nitz, Andrews, Turnbull & Scott, P.C.