Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net
Towers, Spires, Obelisks and Steles
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Penn Society Obelisk 1827 * Monument to William Penn * obelisk, plants (on plaque), symbolic wampum belt (on plaque) * inscription: obelisk itself: William Penn born 1644 died 1718 Pennsylvania founded 1681 Treaty Ground of William Penn and the Indian Natives 1682 plaque: While other colonies were in conflict and in great distress with the Indians, William Penn through his philosophy of social justice and peace, engaged their friendship and goodwill. Here is the site of the great treaty of amity between William Penn and the Indians which was held in November, 1682 for the purpose of establishing a permanent friendship. The treaty is thought to have been held under the great elm tree, which was blown down by heavy winds on Saturday night, March 3, 1810. The leaves on the seal represents the great elm, and the Wampum-belt represents the great treaty of amity. * Penn Treaty Park. Delaware and Marlborough. * 39.966700,-75.128150 [map] * See also: +wikipedia.org's William Penn page +Friends of Penn Treaty Park +Penn Treaty Park Historical Plaques |
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Battle of Germantown Memorial 1903 (approved by legislature) * stele, battlefield map with troop positions * inscription: Erected by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in commemoration of the Battle of Germantown fought October 4 1777 * East side of Vernon Park. West side of Germantown North of Chelten. * 40.036200,-75.175425 [map] * On the Germantown Avenue tour. * Exhibits: War * See also: +wikipedia.org's Battle of Germantown page +ushistory.org's Vernon Park tour page |
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Civil War Sailors Memorial Hermon Atkins MacNeil, 1921 * big stele, angel, group of people, standing, lying and kneeling, suggestion of a ship, hats, weapons, anchor, seahorses, eagles * inscription: front top: In giving freedom to the slave we assure freedom to the free. front bottom: All who have labored today in behalf of the Union have wrought for the best interests of the country and the world not only for the present but for all future ages. back: Port Royal, Port Hatteras, Port Henry, Hampton Roads, New Orleans, Memphis, Port Hudson, Charleston, Mobile Bay, Drury's Bluff, Cherbourg, Fort Fisher, 1961-1865. * South side of the Parkway, West of 20th. * 39.959420,-75.172960 [map] * On the Parkway tour. * Exhibits: War * See also: +phillyhistory.org 1959 picture of this piece +another phillyhistory.org 1959 picture of this piece +wikipedia.org's Hermon Atkins MacNeil page |
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Civil War Soldiers Memorial Hermon Atkins MacNeil, 1921 * big stele, group of people, standing people, angel, hats, weapons, flag, eagle, horse * The last picture is of the reference to this piece from the mural at 12th and Walnut * inscription: front top: One country, one Constitution, one destiny. front bottom: Each for himself gathered up the cherished purposes of life, its aims and ambitions, its dearest affections, and flung all with life itself into the scale of battle. back: Donaldson, The Peninsula, Antietem, Murfreesborg, Chancelorsville, Gettysburg, Chickanagua, Chattanooga, Petersburg, Atlanta, Appomatox, 1861-1865 * North side of the Parkway, West of 20th. * 39.959650,-75.172650 [map] * On the Parkway tour. * Exhibits: War * See also: +phillyhistory.org 1959 picture of this piece +another phillyhistory.org 1959 picture of this piece +wikipedia.org's Hermon Atkins MacNeil page |
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Bell Tower Nolen Swinburne and Associates, 1965 * big tower, bells * Berks Mall between 12th and 13th. * 39.981300,-75.154350 [map] * On the Temple Campus tour. * See also: +Bell Tower Webcam +Nolen-Swinburne page from philadelphiabuildings.org |
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Total Environment Barbara Neijna, 1986 * big arches, spires, abstract * Plaza. East side of 6th, South of Walnut. * 39.946125,-75.151000 [map] * On the Washington Square tour. * See also: +askart.com's Barbara Neijna page + a piece by Barbara Neijna in Jacksonville, FL |
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Columbus Monument Venturi, Scott Brown (and Rauch), 1992 * Monument to Christopher Columbus * big abstract obelisk, pennant, biographical text * At the time this piece was built the firm was named Venturi, Scott Brown * inscription: 1492-1992 Charismatic Leader, Navigator, Mathematician, Cartographer Cinquecento Anniversary Columbus, intrepid navigator, with a sense of the sea unparalleled before or after him. A native son of Genoa, he became through his dedication to a dream, an honored hero of history. His keen intellect, abiding faith, and undaunted persistence made him a giant among men of this millenium. * Columbus at Dock Street. * 39.944650,-75.141500 [map] * On the Penn's Landing tour. * See also: +Venturi, Scott Brown & Associates +wikipedia.org's Christopher Columbus page |
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Philadelphia Beacons Ray King, 1994 - 1999 * big towers, light sources, abstract * Broad and Washington. * 39.937850,-75.166800 [map] * On the Avenue of the Arts tour. * See also: +1997 Philadelphia Business Journal story +1998 City Paper story +rayking.nu |
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Freedom Corner James Dupree, 1995 * abstract stele, standing person, arch * Plaza. Freedom Square. Northeast corner, Germantown and Wister. * 40.030150,-75.16495 [map] * On the Germantown Avenue tour. * See also: +dupreestudiosinc.com |
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Balance Jill Sablosky, 2009 * abstract furniture forms, steles, ideas * Northwest corner, 7th and Appletree. * 39.953550,-75.151600 [map] * On the Convention District tour. * See also: +inliquid.com's Jill Sablosky page |
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Re:flection Jeffrey Manuel (aka Jefre), 2010 * abstract steles, actual plants * Northwest corner, 38th and Powelton. * 39.959700,-75.196800 [map] * On the Powelton tour. * See also: +article about this piece from planphilly.com |