A lifesize, bronze sculpture of a man in coveralls, boots and playing a harmonica will be the latest addition to the South Whidbey Historical Society Museum in Langley.

Called “The Brushcutter,” the work replicates a common historical figure from South Whidbey’s past. Created by Clinton sculptor Georgia Gerber and donated to the museum by Charles Pancerzewski and his wife Gayle Cattron Pancerzewski of Mukilteo, the sculpture will provide a silent watch outside the museum for generations to come.

Gayle Cattron Pancerzewski is a descendant of several early Whidbey families, the Cattrons, Bainters and Frears. She said she wanted to do something to commemorate her ancestors’ history. In a written statement about the donation, she said the gift will become a part of South Whidbey history.

“My husband and I are happy to contribute toward the renovation of the historic Blackman Cottage, once a bunkhouse where the museum is now housed,” Cattron Pancerzewski wrote.

The idea of adding a Gerber sculpture to the museum came from Charles Pancerzewski, an advisor to the museum’s board of directors.

It was up to the board to decide exactly what sort of sculpture would be best outside the museum.

“There were many suggestions made regarding what form the sculpture should take,” said Joanne Hannah, publicity chairman for the South Whidbey Historical Society. “We considered a fish, bird or animal, but couldn’t really decide on which would be appropriate.”

The idea for a brushcutter actually came from Gerber. The image is appropriate because the old bunkhouse renovated into the museum housed men who worked as brushcutters in the early 1900s.

Gerber patterned her sculpture after photos of brushcutters on file at the museum. For an authentic touch, she used a real brushhook and lunchpail as part of the sculpture, two items a real brushcutter would own.

The museum’s brushcutter is depicted taking a lunch break, relaxing on the porch and playing a harmonica.

Brushcutters working on Whidbey Island sold their bales of brush to be used in fill around river basins in Seattle, Hannah said.

“It was used to hold the fill sand and dirt together along the Duwamish River,” she said.

Later, brushercutters harvested salal and huckleberry branches for florists in the city.