During a ceremony yesterday reopening the historic Spencerville Covered Bridge, Michael Mapes read his father’s poem, “The Covered Bridge.” The 148-year-old bridge has been closed several years for extensive structural repairs. The family of Indiana poet laureate Arthur Franklin Mapes (1913-1986) is honored by the invitation to be included at this historic event and have the poem read aloud on the bridge that inspired it. Thank you to Mary Hollabaugh Diehl for her kind words, included in this video of the poem being read. Mary has tirelessly led the community effort to repair and restore the bridge. The DeKalb County community is fortunate to have such incredible, passionate volunteers as the Friends of the Spencerville Covered Bridge. You can read more about their efforts at this link.
Arthur Mapes at the Spencerville Covered Bridge. (Photo from Indiana Memories, copyright 1980.)
Arthur Franklin Mapes 