Smithtown, A History: Whisper the Bull Statue

For almost 70 years, residents and visitors to our town have found the welcoming sight of Smithtown's bull statue. Displayed proudly at the intersection of Routes 25 and 25A, the monument of Whisper represents a centuries-old local legend. 

While local historians agree that Smithtown founder Richard Smythe was not granted land he circled while riding a bull, and instead acquired the land from his friend Lion Gardiner, this piece is still a beloved landmark in town. 

According to Smithtown's official website, it was one of Smythe's descendents Lawrence Smith Butler who had the idea of building a statue. He approached his friend sculptor Charles Cary Rumsey who was known for his work of wildlife to create the bronze piece.

Butler planned to raise the $12,000 for the sculptor's fee. According to local historian Noel Gish, Butler thought residents were going to make a big donation.  

Gish said Rumsey conceived the idea while he has studying at The School of Fine Arts in Paris. While it was designed in France, it was cast in Brooklyn. 

When it was completed 20 years later, the statue measured 14' long, 9' tall and weighed five tons. Unfortunately Butler did not come up with the money, and while Rumsey waited a few years, according to the historian the monumentally piece eventually became part of a major exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. After a few years, the statue was placed in storage.  

In 1941 Butler was finally able to raise funds to cover the cost of moving the Bull and convinced the Town Board to build a 7' concrete base. He also persuaded Rumsey's heirs to donate the statute.    

"By that time we were at the end of the depression and people were doing things more uplifting," said Gish. "It was time to recognize Smithtown."

It was the spring of 1941 when the Bull finally made his way back home and was presented to Smithtown by Mary Rumsey. She was the daughter of the sculptor and also married to New York State Governor W. Averill Harriman.

As for the name "Whisper", Smythe's bull didn't have a name in the story that had been handed down for generations. "You didn't name your farm animals," said Gish.

According to the historian, while the year is not known, students from an elementary school chose the name "Whisper" after a local newspaper ran a contest.

Now green with age decades after his arrival to our town, Whisper the Bull still stands as a reminder of a charming legend.