The record
A purple-pink fragment given to Northern Arizona University in 1993 by a businessman who took the reason with him.
A fragment painted in striking purple and pink is held by Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. A plaque on its back dates the donation to 1993 and names the donor as the businessman Bob Baker. Baker has since died, and with him went any record of why he gave it or where he got it.
The university does hold a certificate of authenticity, issued by Limex-Bau, the GDR's foreign trade enterprise, stating that the proceeds of this piece went to the East German health service — the formula that accompanied the whole 1990 sale.
Sources place it in two different rooms. The list this record was first written from puts it in the student union, displayed so that the reinforcing bars running through the concrete are visible, which is unusual: almost every other record in this catalogue is shown painted face outward, as a canvas rather than as a piece of engineering. The Federal Foundation places it in the lobby of the department of global languages and cultures, framed by photographs of the events of 9 November 1989, and notes that a move to a more prominent position with more passers-by is intended. Either it has moved, or one of the two accounts is out of date; both are kept.
A text panel on the front describes the Wall as an ominous symbol of the Cold War and of the oppression of the East German people, and credits German unification to the peaceful efforts of the people in the east and the support of the NATO countries.
How did it get here?
Given to Northern Arizona University in 1993 by the businessman Bob Baker; the university holds a Limex-Bau certificate of authenticity. Baker's motive and the piece's earlier history are not recorded.
Sources & verification
List of Berlin Wall segments — Wikipedia ↗
A segment showing the reinforcing rebars within it, on display in the student union at Northern Arizona University.
Source accessed 2026-09-17
Federal Foundation — Berlin Wall worldwide, site entry ↗
The purple and pink painted fragment at Northern Arizona University, the plaque dating Bob Baker's donation to 1993 and the loss of the donor's account with his death, the Limex-Bau certificate stating that the proceeds went to the GDR health service, the display in the lobby of the languages and cultures department framed by photographs of the fall, the planned move to a more prominent position, and the wording of the text panel.
Source accessed 2026-09-17
Federal Foundation — Berlin Wall worldwide ↗
The source lists this place as a Berlin Wall location. Coordinates, where supplied, are source-reported and may represent a general area. This is not independent verification of authenticity, current presence, or public access.
Source accessed 2026-09-17 · Source record 170
Last verified: Not yet verified
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